32 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



collectors are, however, responsible for their practical 

 extinction at the present day. 



These tortoises are remarkably long-lived. A specimen 

 which was quite recently living in the compound of the 

 Royal Artillery Mess at Port Louis, Mauritius, was taken 

 from the French in 1810, and was at the time of the same 

 size as at the present day. The history of another that 

 died at Colombo in 1898 dated back over two hundred 

 years. 



The two forms which we find represented in most of the 

 important Zoological Gardens are the Elephantine Tor- 

 toise of Aldabra, and the South Albermarle Tortoise. 



The Elephantine Tortoise, T. elephantina, is now 

 nearing extinction in its native home, Aldabra, but of 

 late years it has been introduced in the Seychelles, where 

 it is now fortunately thriving under Government pro- 

 tection. The shell of large specimens measures five feet 

 in length. 



The South Albermarle Tortoise, T. vicina, grows to 

 an even larger size, its shell reaching over five and a half 

 feet in length, such specimens weighing at least five hun- 

 dred pounds. It may be distinguished from T. elephantina 

 by the absence of the nuchal shield. 



Some interesting notes have recently been published 

 by the Governor of the Seychelles regarding the con- 

 servation of land tortoises in the island. The largest 

 specimen of the herd measures four feet nine inches over 

 the surface of the carapace, and is probably the largest 

 living specimen at the present day. " Gordon," as the 

 creature is called, shows likes and dislikes, and is very 

 combative, having bitten many visitors who presumed 



