11 DECEMBER 1920, Page 15

TORTOISE-SHELL.

[To TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPEcrrroa."] So,—I shall be much obliged if any of your readers can inform me whether it is true that in procuring tortoise-shell any cruelty is practised on the tortoise. All ray life I have heard the tortoise is turned on its back and roasted alive, but I have never been able to find out if this is true or not. I avoid using anything made of tortoise-shell because of the alleged cruelty in obtaining it, and I should be glad to know the truth on the matter.—I am, Sir, &c., H. M. C.