CHAPTER XXIX. 



SIIOET STUDIES OF TURTLES. 



IN the course of my rambles about home I have 

 found that the turtles and tortoises are quite as well rep- 

 resented as the serpents in the fauna of this neighbor- 

 hood. 



In the upland fields and dry woodlands there is one 

 tortoise that is moderately abundant and quite at home. 

 A second is also occasionally met with. All other turtles 

 that we may chance to meet are either of an aquatic or a 

 semi-aquatic species, and have left their usual haunts but 

 temporarily. In the books it is, I know, otherwise stated, 

 and four of the ten species are mentioned as characteris- 

 tic of high and dry localities ; but this does not accord 

 with my experience, and it is thought to be an error. 



The one common strictly upland species known, al- 

 though imperfectly, to everybody, is the box-tortoise or 

 "land-turtle." While this animal usually fails to rouse 

 any particular interest in the minds of those who meet 

 with it, still I never knew a person who did not pause 

 for a moment when one crossed his path. Indeed, it 

 generally happens that the creature is picked up, turned 

 over, shaken rudely, and scanned closely to see if any 

 name, initials, or date has been cut upon its shell. Fur- 

 thermore, its peculiar structure, its awkward gait, and the 

 habit of promptly withdrawing its head and limbs within 

 its portable house, and suddenly slamming the front door. 



