EEPTILES. 



277 



facility. In them also the feet arc webbed. The food con- 

 sists of Fishes, Amphibia, Insects, MoUusca, and carrion. 

 Some which inhabit tlie waters of Carolina and South Amcjrica 

 called Alligator Tortoises, and are remarkable for their 



are 



activity and for the great strength of their jaws. 



The Land Tortoises {Testudinidce) are entirely herbivorous ; 

 the feet are blunt, and furnished with short claws. The 

 species best known in this country is the Testudo Grceca 

 (Figs. 235, 23G). When at libert}', it bm-ies itself towards 



LAND TORTOISE. 



235.— Upper Surface. 



23G.— Lower Sm-face. 



the beginning of winter, and remains in its dormitory until 

 spring. 



The great longevity of these creatures seems to be one of 

 the most remarkable circumstances in their history. One is 

 recorded as living at Peterborough whose age must have been 

 about 220 years. " Bishop Mai'sh's predecessor in the see 

 of Peterborough had remembered it about sixty years, and 

 could recognize no visible change. He was the seventh bishop 

 who had worn the mitre during its sojourn there."* The 

 weight of this animal was 13^ lbs. yet it moved with apparent 

 ease, though pressed by a weight of eighteen stone. 



jVIr. Darwin mentions the great abundance of Tortoises in 

 all the Islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. These creatures 

 sometimes grow to an immense size ; he had been told of some 

 so large that six or eight men were required to lift them from 



* Extracted from Murray's "Experimental TJesearche.«, " as quoted in 

 a foot-note to Sir William Jardiue's edition of " AVhite's Selborne." 



