242 LEAVES FROM THE 



dreamy kind of doze, with its head tucked into its shell, 

 which glittered — still moist with the rain that had 

 fallen — in the sunbeams, — a shell fit to make a lyre for 

 Polypheme, if he had been inclined to try his hand, when 

 tired of the hundred reeds of decent growth that made 

 a pipe for his capacious mouth. Though the weather 

 had been very wet since its arrival a day or two pre- 

 viously, it did not seem to have availed itself of the 

 shelter of its hut. Another comparatively small land- 

 tortoise was also in the enclosure, near a corner, but 

 entirely exposed to the weather. One colossal anterior 

 foot of the dozing giant rested on its sole ; its fellow was 

 carelessly lying on its side. The soles of both the hind 

 feet were on the turf I scratched the sole of the anterior 

 foot, which was exposed, and then the head. The sleeper 

 was awakened, and put forth its long serpentine neck, 

 opened one eye very deliberately, and then the other as 

 lazily, gave a gasp or two, withdrew the head, and then 

 again protruded it. Cabbages, lettuces, and vegetable 

 marrows, the latter equalling in tempting appearance 

 those which the mad gentleman placed upon the top of 

 Mrs. Nickleby's wall, or projected into her garden, lay 

 scattered in profusion around. In many of these the 

 trenchant bill of the reptile had made incision ; and as 

 they had forgotten to provide the royal guest with a 

 napkin, fragments of the last meal remained hanging 

 about its horny lips. Large as the creature is, one may 

 easily conceive the disappointment of the spectator who 

 first sees it at rest. When it is in motion and the huge 

 body is raised on the pillar-like legs, it is a much more 

 striking object. Professor Owen had been summoned to 

 Buckingham Palace to see it before its removal to the 

 Garden in the Regent's Park, by the gracious direction 

 of her Majesty, and, in the presence of Prince Albert, 

 proceeded to take the dimensions of the girth of the 

 animal. To do this more effectually, he bestrode the 



