//// OOPB 



Tha- mb-rovered manis, again, although guarded \\ith -u< ..j\e layers of broad, homy 

 plate-. i>. in ]oint of fm-t. less protect. -.1 \\\\,-i\ rolled up tlinii when \\alkini; i|tii-tlv almii: : (<>i 

 u h.-ii at rest, the seal. - overlap each other like the tiles of a house, t*< that an\ weapon would 

 glance aside, but when cm led up the scales an em-ted and leave a pUM-sage for the 

 til-- sj)ear between tin-in. 



The real defence <>f the hedgehog lies in the points of its quills and of the manis in the 

 razor like edges of it-* scales. Imt the defem-e of the Tortoise is wholly inaggressive, and is 

 alli.-d to that of the armadillo or ]>erha|is the singular pichiciairo if'/ifamydoji/iurux 

 trumvitux), a most remarkable little creature with a curious shelly covering spread over nearly 

 the whole up]>er surface :m<l <lown the hind-quarters. A description of this animal maybe 

 found in tin- \olume on the Mammalia, page 031. Then- are again many of the lower animals 

 which have a similar mode of defence, a very familiar example U-ing the well-known pill 

 woodlotue so common in our gardens, which mils itself into a round lull when alarmed, and 

 permit* itself to be handled and even rolled along the ground without displaying any signs 

 of life. 



The Box Tortoise is a terrestrial species, and always keeps to the dry forest-lands, detest- 

 ing the vicinity of water. It is commonly found in the pine forests, because they are always 

 on thoroughly dry soil, and on account of its fondness for such localities is sometimes known 

 by the popular name of the Pine Terrapin. The negroes call it by the name of Cooler. In the 

 wild state it mostly feeds on insects, and is peculiarly fond of the cricket tribe, but in captivity 

 it will eat almost any food that is offered, taking insects, meat, apples, or even bread. 



It is a very little creature, being when adult a very little more than six inches in length. 

 In color it is extremely variable, but is generally yellowish-brown, striped with a brighter 

 hue, ami .sometimes mot t lei I with black. Of a niimlx-r of specimens no two were exactly alike, 

 some being yellow, spotted with black, while others exactly reversed these tints, and were 

 black, spotted with yellow. Others again were yellow with black rays, and others olive with 

 yellow rays and streaks. The carapace has a very slight keel along its upper edge. 



The upper jaw of this secies is furnished with a rather broad hook, and the lower jaw I 

 also hooked, but not so boldly. 



This is an interesting species from having its shell so adapted by a hinged cover in front 

 that it shuts itself tightly within. What complete protection is here afforded from any ordi- 

 nary foe ! Tortoises are mostly notable for longevity, and this si>ecies seems to !> es]>ecially 

 favored. We remember to have captured one of them while in a woodland of Worcester 

 County, in Massachusetts, and found the initials of a relative cut on its back. They 

 were recognized as having been cut there thirty or more years previously. This species, 

 from being an inhabitant of dry woods, is more likely than those of ponds and wet place- 

 to be found and captured ; hence the more frequent selection of this Turtle for such carving 

 purposes. 



Other species, found in various parte of the world, seem to have the same curious box- 

 like shell. 



The Box Turtle inhabits the United States from Maine and New York to Missouri and 

 -HI th ward. A variety called the Three-toed Box Turtle (C. trinii</iii.<<\, found in Pennsylvania 

 and southward, is paler in color, and has the hind-feet mostly three-toed. It is called Pine 

 Barren Terrapin, or Cooter, in the South. 



THK. (TOHHKK (Tettudo Carolina). This is the common Land Tortoise of the Southern 

 States. It is not known farther north than North Carolina, where among the pine barrens it 

 abounds in great numbers, living entirely on vegetables. The flesh is esteemed a great delicacy. 

 The length of the species is about fourteen inches. 



About twenty species of I>and Tortoises are known to science, inhabiting both hemi- 

 -pheres. They are all herbivomn-. conlin.-<| t.. the land, and inhabit the warmer portion- 

 of their respective localities. Their special characteri-tic i- the habit of burrowing. 



The Pond Turtles, family Bmyida, are represented over the whole world, widely dis- 

 tributed, by about eighty specie**. 



