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TORTOISES. 53 
grain, it is said, and then the animals are much more highly 
prized as food for man. As with the Testudinidw, perhaps, the 
most suitable Emydide for confinement in Britain are those which 
belong to Europe. Probably the Terrapins which are commonest 
in this country are the Mud Tortoises (L. lutaria). They are 
sometimes sold as cheaply as 3s. 6d. a dozen, and frequently so 
small in size that their carapace is not of so great a diameter as 
half-a-crown. With care and gentle treatment they can soon be 
induced to feed upon pieces of raw meat, worms, and tiny fish. 
In common with other Terrapins they seize their food in a dog- 
like fashion, seeking the assistance of their fore-feet in the tear- 
ing of their prey and in the guiding of it into their mouths. 
It is cruel to keep these and other Freshwater Tortoises always 
in the water. They should be able to land and retire under 
cover whenever they wish. Small specimens of the Emydide 
may be kept in a tank with fairly-sized fish, provided that they 
have the facility just mentioned. But they should not, as they 
are timid Reptiles, be associated with animals of which they 
would live in continual fear, though they might suffer no harm 
from them. For example, it is not kind to place small Terrapins 
in the same Vivarium with young Alligators or Bull-frogs. Such 
cases as those represented by Figs. 10 and 14 (pp. 19 and 23), 
are suitable for Freshwater Tortoises. 
During the summer months, many of the Emydidew may be 
kept in small ponds in gardens. To prevent them from straying 
away and being lost the water should be surrounded with some 
lin. meshed wire-netting. The net need not be more than lft. 
deep. Considering their build, they can climb, by the help of 
their sharp claws, in a rather surprising way over rocks and the 
like. A tub about 6in. or 8in. deep, and not less than 2ft. 6in. 
in diameter, also surrounded with wire-netting, and placed in a 
sunny place in the garden, makes a capital habitation for them 
during the hot weather. A stone which protrudes a little above 
the surface of the water, and upon which they can climb for sun- 
ning purposes, should be placed in the centre of the tub. Nor 
should the duckweed be forgotten. If possible, the Tortoises 
ought to have access to some sand or light soil in which, if they 
wish, they can deposit and bury their eggs. 
