The largest species grow to the length of three feet, and have a flattish oval shell of a dark colour, and quite smooth.

Turtles lay their eggs about the beginning of September, when the sand-banks begin to be uncovered.

They scrape deep holes for them, and cover them carefully over, beating down the sand quite flat, and walking across the place several times, for the purpose of concealment.

The eggs are then left to be hatched by the heat of the sun.

But, alas for the poor turtles! men are too clever for them.