38 CLOSE TORTOISE. 



covered with yellow hard scales : it hath five toes 

 on each foot forwards, and four on each of the 

 hinder feet, all armed with pretty strong claws of 

 a dusky colour: the shell above is pretty rising 

 and round, divided into separate scales, of the 

 horny substance called tortoise-shell: each scale 

 is engraven as it were with rings round its extre- 

 mities, which lessen inwards to its centre : the shell 

 above is of a dusky-brown colour, with yellowish 

 spots of various forms : underneath it is flattish, and 

 of a yellow colour, with black clouds and spots : it 

 has only the rudiment of a tail, in which the vent 

 is placed : the lower shell is divided across the 

 middle of the belly, and joined to the upper shell 

 on the sides by a tough though flexible skin; by 

 which means it can, when it draws in its head and 

 legs, close or shut up its shell as firmly as that of 

 an oyster." 



This tortoise has, since the time of Edwards, 

 been described as a new species by different au- 

 thors, under different names ; and thus the cata- 

 logue of species has been unnecessarily increased. 

 Like others, it is observed to vary a little in the 

 intensity and disposition of its colours ; the yellow 

 markings in some being abrupt, or not at all 

 shaded into the ground colour of the shell. 



