"So far as I can learn there has been but one other of this kind ever taken on this coast. It was less than half the size of this and was entangled in a fisherman's net and was wounded in capturing, so that it died soon after. The meat was sold to the hotels here and was very fine eating.
"Respectfully,
"G. W. Gourley."
Inquiry regarding the second specimen referred to in Mr. Gourley's letter finally resulted, through the kindness of Dr. Frank M. Anderson, in my securing from Mr. E. B. Hoyt of San Luis Obispo, a photograph of this turtle, taken soon after its death. Mr. Hoyt tells me that this photograph was taken by himself at Santa Barbara in July or August, 1901. It shows the animal covering more than half the length of the floor of a dray on which it was lying. This photograph is reproduced in Plate X.
The third individual of this species was preserved in the museum at Coronado, San Diego County, which I am told is now a thing of the past. All that I have been able to learn of its history is contained in the following note from Mrs. E. S. Newcomb, who was in charge of the collection:
"Coronado, March 21, 1896.
"Dear Sir:—I am only posted in regard to one marine turtle, which hangs in the entrance of our museum, and provokes various witty remarks from the travelling public.... This turtle was caught off Point Loma [San Diego Co.] by a fisherman, weight 800 lbs. He sold it to the market, where Prof. Ward recognized the skin as belonging to the Harp or Lute turtle, and purchased it for this museum. It has been here eight years. I am sorry my information is so meagre, but it is the best I can give you.
"Yours sincerely,
"(Mrs.) E. S. Newcomb."
With no material for comparison I am unable to form an opinion as to the identity or specific distinctness of the Leather-back Turtles of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans; but Distant's photograph of an individual from South Africa[30] certainly shows a style of coloration very different from that seen in those reproduced here.