turtle (2)

[A corrupt. of Port. tartaruga; Sp. tortuga =a tortoise, a turtle.] 1. Zoology : The popular name for any species of the Cheloniide. They may be distinguished by their long, compre ed, fin-shaped, non-retractile feet, with the toes inclosed in a common skin, from which only one or two claws project. The carapace is broad and much depre ed, so that when these animals are on shore, and are turned over on their backs, they cannot regain the natural position. Large interspaces between the extremities of the ribs, and portions of the sternum always remain cartilaginous, so that the carapace is far lighter than in the Tortoises. The head is large and globose, and cannot be retracted within the shell; it is covered above with symmetrical horny shields, and the jaws seas, and some times travel into the tem perate zones. The flesh and eggs of all the Green Turtle. species are edible, though the Indian turtles are le valuable in this respect than those of the Atlantic. The most highly valued of the family is the Green Turtle ( Chelonia virid is ), from which turtle so up is made. It attains a large size, sometimes from six to seven feet long, with a weight of from 700 to 800 pounds. The popular name has no reference to the color of the carapace, which is dark olive, pa ing into dingy white, but the green fat so highly prized by epicures. The Edible Turtle of the East Indies ( C. virgata ) is also highly prized: but, according to Tennent ( Ceylon , i. 189), at certain seasons they "are avoided as poisonous, and some lamentable instances are recorded of death which was ascribed to their use." The Hawk's-bill Turtle ( C. imbricata ), which yields tortoiseshell (q. v.), is also prized; but the flesh of the Loggerhead Turtle (q. v.) and of the Leather-back is of little value. 2. Frequently used for turtle-soup (q. v.). "Turtle and venison all his thoughts employ" Cowper: Progre of Error, 220. 3. Print.: The segmental plate in which a form is locked up in a type-revolving machine. The column rules are wider at the top than the bottom, to hold the type firmly, and are secured by screws. The edge of the side-stick has a series of beveled projections, and is pre ed against the form by a piece having similarly beveled projections and worked by a screw. To turn turtle : [TURN, v., 36.] turtle-back, s. The roofing or cover of a deck, curved so as to resemble the shell of a turtle; a hurricane-deck. "Fitted with platforms on her turtle- backs fore and aft." London Daily News. Turtle - back fort : A species of seacoast defense in which long range guns are mounted in turtle backed turrets. *turtle-footed, a . Slow-footed. "Turtle- footed peace," -Ford. IMG:content-1584.jpg:[blocks in formation] turtle-shell, 8. 1. A beautiful species of Murex. (Good rich.) 2. Tortoiseshell.