'For Manufacture - Tortoise Shell', c 1845.

Vignette from a lithographic plate showing three men making products using tortoise shell. Tortoise's shells are made of keratin, a natural protein found in horns, beaks, scales, hair and nails. Taken from 'Crustacea & Reptiles' in 'Graphic Illustrations of Animals - showing their utility to man in their services during life, and uses after death' (1845), illustrated by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and R K Thomas and published by Thomas Varty. Printed by J Graf, C Graf, Day and Haghe.