File:China-Illustrata-Winged-turtles-of-Henan.png

English: "The winged turtles of Henan". There is no caption under the picture, but a text on the preceding page (p. 204 ) refers to Michael Boym's account in Flora Sinensis ("Chinese Flora") about turtles with "green wings attached to their legs", which appears to be Boym's misinterpretation of the concept of "green-haired turtles" (绿毛龟), i.e. turtles with algae growing on them.

Kircher has this to say on this matter: "The Chinese Flora says that in the kingdom of Honan are found turtles which are green or blue, and that there are also some with wings on their feet, who in this way they compensate for the slow progress they can make on foot. I, however, could not easily believe that these swimming creatures have wings, for it seems to violate the primary nature of a turtle. Rather, turtles give off a sticky liquid around their feet, as the drawing shows, and in time this becomes cartilaginous and resembles a limb which flaps around as they move. This is not used for flying, so when the matter is examined, it turns out to be different than is commonly believed. These are the facts about the rarer animals found in China and we cannot cease to marvel at and praise God’s admirable arrangements and His wisdom in all things." (P. 207 in the modern English translation by Dr. Charles D. Van Tuyl)

An early (1673) English translation of China Illustrata does not reproduce this picture, but says this (p. 417): "The Flora Sinensis says, That there are found Tortoises in the Kingdom of Honan, some green, and some blue; there are also others, that to mend their Pace, have Wings added to their Feet".