THE above cut represents the Hawk's-bill Turtle, which is so called from the resemblance which its horny beak bears to the bill of the hawk. The plates with which this Turtle is covered, form the beautiful substance known by the name of Tortoise-shell. There are thirteen of these plates on the back of the animal, which lie one over the other, like the tiles of a house, at least one-third of each plate overlapping the one behind it. The manner in which the tortoise-shell is softened, or polished, and so rendered fit for use and ornament, is very curious, the effects being produced chiefly by means of heat.

The Hawk's-bill Turtle is found about the islands and coasts both of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Turtle of this species have also been taken on some

occasions on the shores of Great Britain. They feed on sea-weed, crabs, and various kinds of shell-fish. When not occupied in feeding, they are often seen floating, without the slightest movement, on the surface of the sea, as if asleep; they are then easily approached and taken. At other times their progress through the water is exceedingly rapid. The feet, which are formed like oars, propel the animal with great force. "The Green and Hawk-bill Turtle," says Audubon, "remind you, by their celerity, and the ease of their motions, of the progress of a bird in the air."

The young Turtles are hatched from eggs which the female lays in the sand at certain seasons. These eggs are perfectly round, and are much esteemed as articles of food. Audubon says, that the animal shows great caution in selecting the spot in which to lay her eggs. Raising her head above the water, on a fine moonlight night, she looks round her, and examines the several objects on the beach. She then utters a loud hissing sound, in order to scare away any enemies. Should she see danger, she sinks below the water; but if all be safe, she proceeds gently and quickly to form a hole in the sand, which she scoops up with her hind flappers, digging to the depth of eighteen inches, or sometimes more than two feet. "This labour," says our author, "I have seen performed in the short period of nine minutes. The eggs are then dropped, one by one, and disposed in regular layers, to the number of one hundred and fifty, or sometimes nearly two hundred." This operation takes about twenty minutes. She then scrapes the loose sand back over the eggs, and so levels and smooths the surface, that few persons on seeing the spot could imagine that anything had been done to it. This accomplished to her satisfaction, she retreats to the water with all possible despatch, leaving the hatching of the eggs to the heat of the sand.

The Green Turtle is highly valued for its flesh.

THE Crocodile is a native of Asia and Africa, and is hatched from an egg. It is one of the animals called amphibious, because it can live either in water or out of it. It is a very fierce and mischievous creature, with rows of sharp teeth, a large mouth, and angrylooking eyes. It is sometimes twenty or thirty feet long, and has a covering of skin like armour, over the back, which is so hard that a musket ball cannot pierce The whole animal has the appearance of being covered with curious carved work.

it.

The Crocodile lies waiting quietly by the banks of rivers in Egypt, and other parts of Africa; and when

it sees a dog, or other animal near enough, it suddenly seizes it, and diving down again into the water, swallows its prey. When it is hungry, it comes up for more food. Sometimes it floats on the top of the water, and takes into its mouth such fishes as come within its reach.

As soon as a young crocodile escapes from its egg, it makes for the water, but is often eaten up by the ichneumon, or by some bird of prey. The Crocodile's egg is considered by some to be good food, and is eaten by many natives of Africa.

As a proof of the low and perverted state of that mind which knows not the true God, or has departed from His truth, to follow its own absurd imaginations, may be mentioned, that in some parts of Egypt the Crocodile was anciently worshipped and adored.

it

"The snake-devouring Ibis, these enshrine,

Those think the Crocodile alone divine."*

Bishop Heber describes a large Crocodile which he saw close to his boat, Aug. 16, 1824, and which "showed himself to the best advantage. Instead of being like those we had seen before, of a black or dusky colour, he was all over stripes of yellow and brownish black, like the body of a wasp, with scales very visibly marked, and a row of small tubercles or prominences along the ridge of his back and tail. He must, I should think, have been about fifteen feet long."+

* Gifford's Juvenal.

+ Journey in India.