MARSH TORTOISES. 147 
resorting to some sheltered sandy place, where they bask in the sun’s 
rays. ‘Towards the month of June the females lay from twelve to 
fourteen white spherical eggs, as large as a small walnut; these are 
placed in a hole exposed to the sun, and covered over with earth. 
Thus the operation of hatching is performed. The carapace of this 
species is oval and very much arched; their marginal plates are 
twenty-five in number; the plastron, which is almost as long as the 
carapace, is separated into two great portions by a longitudinal line ; 
the plates of the carapace are spotted with black and greenish yellow, 
forming a large marbled pattern; the centre of the disc is besides 
relieved by a small, irregular, blackish, central spot. These three 
species are held in high estimation on account of their flesh, which 
is said to make an agreeable soup. 
The Elephantine Tortoise (7Zestudo elephantina), the length of 
which is more than three feet, inhabits most of the islands situated 
in the Mozambique Channel. The Museum of Natural History 
at Paris had a specimen of this ‘lortoise, which lived more than 
twelve months after its capture, and weighed about 600 pounds. 
The flesh of this species is extremely delicate, and much sought 
after. ' 
In some other Terrestrial ‘Tortoises, from which the genus P) xs 
has been formed, the anterior portion of the plastron is movable ; 
and when the head and feet are drawn in, the animal can fasten 
itselt against the sides of the carapace like a door in its case. 
In others the carapace is flexible, and can be lowered behind like 
the plastron ; these are K7v/xys. Lastly, we arrive at the Humopodes, 
which have unguiculated legs. 
MarsH ‘TORTOISES. 
Marsh Tortoises (£/odites) occupy a place between Terrestrial 
Tortoises and those which are essentially aquatic. They have the 
carapace more or less depressed, oval, and broader behind ; their 
feet have distinct flexible toes supplied with hooked claws, of which 
the phalanges are united at the base by means of an elastic skin, 
which enables them to separate one from the other, at the same time 
preserving their strength and assisting them to grasp a much larger 
surface. ‘Thus they can walk, swim, or even climb abrupt banks. 
These Tortoises are generally small, and are carnivorous. As 
they exhale a nauseous odour they are not used as human food. 
‘Their carapace being neither thick nor handsome, they are conse- 
quently little sought after. There are a hundred species of Elodians 
