332 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE. 



fore feet, while it gained another step on the fender, and 

 so managed to raise itself to such a height, that it only had 

 to fall flat on the top of the footstool. When once there, 

 it could hardly be induced tc leave the elevation which it 

 had gained with such difficulty." 



The Elephant The gigantic tortoises of the Galapagos Islands 

 Tortoise, came under the observation of Mr. Darwin, from 

 whom we quote the following descriptive passages: "These 

 animals are found, I believe, in all the Islands of the Galapagos 

 Archipelago. They frequent in preference the high damp 

 parts, but likewise inhabit the lower and arid districts. Some 

 individuals grow to an immense size. Mr. Lawson told us 

 that he had seen several so large that it required six or 

 eight men to lift them from the ground, and that some had 

 afforded as much as two hundred pounds of meat. This 

 tortoise is very fond of water, drinking large quantities and 

 wallowing in the mud. The larger islands alone possess 

 springs, and these are always situated towards the central 

 parts and at a considerable elevation. The tortoises, there- 

 fore, which frequent the lower districts, when thirsty have to 

 travel from a long distance. Hence broad and well beaten 

 paths radiate off in every direction from the wells, even 

 down to the sea coasts, and the Spaniards by following them 

 up first discovered the watering-places. Near the springs it 

 was a curious spectacle to behold many of these great 

 monsters; one set eagerly travelling onwards with outstretched 

 necks, and another set returning, having drunk their fill. The 

 tortoises when moving towards any definite point, travel by 

 night and day, and arrive at their journey's end much sooner 

 than would be expected. One large tortoise, which I watched, 

 I found walked at the rate of sixty yards in ten minutes, 

 that is three hundred and sixty in the hour, or four miles a 

 day, allowing also a little time to eat on the road. During 

 the breeding season, when the male and female are together, 

 the male utters a hoarse roar or bellowing, which, it is said, 



