[2291] This passage, down to the words “to the fishermen,” is found in Agatharchides, as quoted by Photius.
[2292] See B. xxxii. c. 4.
[2293] Cuvier says that this is evidently a gross exaggeration on the part of some traveller; and Ajasson remarks, that the very largest turtle known does not exceed five feet in length, and four in breadth. In such a case, the superficies of the calapash or shell would be only from twenty to twenty-four feet, and this, be it remembered, in one of the very largest size.
[2294] Aristotle, Hist. Anim. B. viii. c. 3, has a similar passage.
[2295] See B. v. c. 17.
[2296] Aristotle, Hist. Anim. B. viii. c. 3, states to a similar effect.
[2297] Oppian, Halieut. B. i. l. 522, has a passage to a somewhat similar effect. Holland’s notion of the meaning of this passage is singular in the extreme. “The female fleeth from the male, and will not abide to engender, until such time as he pricke her behind, and sticke somewhat in her taile for running away from him so fast.”
[2298] Cuvier remarks, that it is evident that the fore-feet were here taken for horns, they being in the turtle long, narrow, and pointed.
[2299] From the Greek χέλυον, “tortoise-shell.” See B. vi. c. [34].