MARSH TORTOISES. T49 
beak is notched with a strong tooth on each side, producing the 
appearance of a beak closely resembling that of birds of prey. 
The Mud Tortoises (Cistudo europea, Fig. 34), sometimes called 
the Yellow Tortoises, are very abundant in Europe. ‘They are found 
in Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and in the southern provinces of 
France ; also in Hungary, Germany, and as far north as Prussia. 
They inhabit lakes, marshes, and ponds, at the bottom of which they 
bury themselves in the mud. They live principally upon insects, 
molluscs, aquatic worms, and small fishes. Although the flesh of 
Fig. 35.—Box Tortoise. 
the Mud Tortoise is far from being palatable, it is nevertheless eaten 
in countries where they are common. 
The Amydes are divided into four considerable groups—namely, 
the European group, of which the Box Tortoise (Fig. 35) is typical ; 
the American group, containing twelve or fourteen species, of which 
the justly celebrated Diamond-backed Terrapin is one; the African, 
seven species ; and Oriental group, about twelve species. 
The /Pleuroderes have the neck retractile on one side of the 
carapace, without their having the power of drawing it between their 
fore feet, and under the buckler and plastron, like the Cryptoderes. 
The Bearded Tortoise (Chelys matamata, Fig. 36), belongs to this 
