LEATHERBACK, LEATHERY TURTLE, or LuTn. A large oceanic turtle (Rphargis coria eca) distinguished prominently by having the body incased by a leathery integument instead of a bony or horny 'shell.' 1"his remarkable turtle has been observed in all the tropical seas, but is everywhere rare 'Ind is probably approach ing extinction. It is more often seen in the western part of the Atlantic than elsewhere, and has been known to stray northward to Long Island and the coast of France. It exceeds all other turtles in size. The British con tains a specimen six and one-half feet long, the shell being four feet long. Such a specimen, it is believed. would weigh about 1000 pounds, and Agassiz relates that he saw some weighing more than a ton. The color is brown, more or less marked with yellow in youth. The head is very turtle-like; the tail has been almost lost. The fore flippers are broad and nearly as long as the body, while the hinder ones are broad, stout paddles, giving great swimming power, so that a dozen men have found it difficult to drag a hooked specimen up on a beach. This power is
an adaptation to the almost continuous pelagic life led by the animal, which feeds principally on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, jellyfishes, and similar marine piney caught in the open sea or about submerged reefs. Its flesh is not of good taste, is rarely eaten, and is regarded by most persons as unwholesome. Its breeding habits are similar to those of other chelonians. Rather later in the season than the true turtles. it seeks a sandy shore or islet, and buries in the sand a great number of eggs. The young turtles seek the water as soon as hatched. but few survive to reach an age and size that make them safe against most enemies.