22 RADIATED TORTOISE. 



fifteen eggs at a time. The Count de Cepede 

 supposes this species to be the Terrapin of Dam- 

 pier, which that navigator represents as very beau- 

 tifully variegated, and as delighting in moist and 

 marshy places ; adding, that its flesh is esteemed 

 as a food, and that it is found in plenty on the 

 coasts of the Pine islands, between the continent 

 of America and Cuba : they are found in the fo- 

 rests, where they are easily taken : the hunters 

 mark them on the shield, and let them wander 

 about the woods ; being sure to find them again 

 at no great distance, every one easily recognizing 

 his own property, and afterwards carrying them 

 to Cuba. 



RADIATED TORTOISE. 



Testudo Radiata. T. testa ovata nigra, scutellis planiusculis 



flavo stellatim radiatis. 

 Tortoise with ovate black shell and flattish scutella radiated 



with yellow. 

 Testudo tessellata major. Great chequered Tortoise-shell, 



Grew. mus. reg. soc. p. 36. 



FROM a general resemblance in the pattern of 

 the shell, and a similarity in colours, it appears 

 that this animal has been considered either as the 

 same species, or at most as a variety of the T. geo- 

 metrica. It is impossible, however, to view with 

 any attention the two shells without allowing 

 them to be perfectly distinct. That of the species 

 at present under consideration often measures a 



