990 18. TESTUDINIDA 



"When molested he draws in his head and closes the 

 aperture with his legs by bringing the knees together in front 

 of the head} the hind legs are also drawn in until the post- 

 erior spaces are closed by the feet, and in this way all vulner- 

 able points are protected by impenetrable armor. In pre- 

 paring the specimen, I found on each side, between the flesh 

 and carapax, a large membranous sack filled with clear water j 

 I judged that about a pint ran out, though the animal had 

 been some days in captivity and without water before coming 

 into my possession. Here then is the secret of his living in 

 such a dry region j he carries his supply of water in two tanks, 

 the thirsty traveler, falling in with one of these tortoises and 

 aware of this fact, need have no fear of dying for immediate 

 want of water." 



Meek gives the following note by Heller regarding six 

 specimens secured north of Daggett, in the Calico mining 

 district. "They had apparently just emerged from their 

 winter hibernation, some being taken within a few feet of 

 their burrows. The burrows were usually made in light, 

 gravelly soil, in which they were sunk obliquely to a depth 

 of about two feet. In this locality (2,500 to 3,500 feet 

 altitude) they were found on a peculiar slate-colored soil 

 in the lower part of the tree yucca zone. Soon after a shower 

 they are said to be usually common, but during the hottest 

 months, when most of the vegetation is dormant, they retreat 

 to their burrows and hibernate." 



Mr. Camp who observed this tortoise near Goffs, 30 

 miles west of Needles, writes: "About a mile north of Goffs 

 station a number of desert tortoise burrows were found, some 

 of which were occupied. The holes were dug slantingly into 

 the rather firmly packed sand and gravel, usually at a grade 

 of about 45 degrees. Often the places chosen were under 

 creosote bushes and in the banks of small dry washes. The 

 tunnels were from two to eight feet long, with a slight 



