96 



gooseberry bush, where it was sure to take its station 

 while he plucked the fruit. We could not get it to 

 take the root of the dandelion, nor indeed any root 

 offered, as that of the carrot or turnip : animal food 

 was discarded ; nor would it taste any liquid, at least 

 neither milk nor water ; and when a leaf was moist, it 

 would shake it to expel the adhering wet. 



This animal moved with apparent ease, though 

 pressed by a weight of 18 stones ; it weighed 

 IS^lbs. In cloudy weather, it would scoop out a 

 cavity, generally in a southern exposure, where it 

 reposed, torpid and inactive, until the genial influence 

 of the sun roused it from its slumber : when in this 

 state the eyes were closed, and the head and neck a 

 little contracted, though not entirely drawn within the 

 shell. Its sense of smelling was so acute, that it was 

 roused from its lethargy if any person approached 

 even at a distance of twelve feet. 



About the beginning of October (or latter end of 

 September) it began to immure itself, and had for 

 that purpose, for many years, selected a particular 

 angle of the garden : it entered in an inclined plane, 

 excavating the earth in the manner of the mole : the 

 depth to which it penetrated varied with the character 

 of the approaching season, being from one to two feet, 

 according as the following winter was mild or severe. 

 It may be added, that for nearly a month prior to this 

 entry into its dormitory, it refused all sustenance 

 whatever.* The animal emerged about the end of 

 April, and remained for at least a fortnight before it 

 ventured on taking any species of food : its skin was 



* Dr. Patterson informed us that his tortoise used to sleep 

 away the winter in some corner in the children's nursery. There 

 must, therefore, be something more than temperature connected 

 with torpidity. 



