CHELONIANS. 461 



ble on a hinge, so that they can conceal the head and fore 

 limbs within the carapace. 



(3) Homopus, (Gr. homos, like each other; pous, foot,) in- 

 cluding Land Tortoises which have the carapace and pastron 

 immovable. They have but four nails on the fore feet, while 

 the other genera have five. The VERMILION TORTOISE, H. are- 



. olatus, (Lat. divided into areas, or spaces.) is a species of this 

 genus, found in Eastern Africa and Madagascar, and one of the 

 smallest known of Land Tortoises, being seldom more than five 

 inches in length. 



(4) Testudo, having the carapace and plastron immovable. 

 Of this genus, only one species is indigenous to North America, 

 viz: T. Carolina or T. Polyphemus, [Xerobates] (Gr. xeros from 

 xera land ; baino, to go,) Carolina, Ag., the GOPHER TORTOISE, 

 ranging from Florida to Georgia. It is from fifteen to seventeen 

 inches in length. Its strength is so great that it can move 

 easily with a man standing on its back. In habits, it is noc- 

 turnal ; its flesh is excellent, and much sought after for the 

 table. In sandy districts, it excavates holes in the ground, which 

 much impede the movements of horsemen. 



The ELEPHANTINE TORTOISE, T. Indica, (T. Elephantina.) Cyl- 

 indraspis, (Gr. rolling or cylindrical shield,) Indica, is from 

 three to four feet in length ; and every way a huge animal. It 

 sometimes has been known to weigh not far from three hundred 

 pounds. The Elephant Tortoises are found in great numbers in 

 the Galapagos islands, but, comparatively, not large, averaging 

 sixty pounds in weight. They are eagerly sought by crews of 

 vessels. When captured, they serve for fresh meat, as they can 

 be kept for a year in the hold of a ship without food or drink. 



The GREEK or EUROPEAN TORTOISE, T. Graca, is a well known 

 species, found in the South of Europe. 



The GEOMETRIC TORTOISE, T. geometrica, is a beautiful little 

 creature, about six inches in length, found in South Africa and 

 Madagascar. It has its specific name from the radiating lines 

 of yellow, forming angular figures on the plates of the carapace. 



The Charcoal Tortoise, IT. carbonaria, is common in Brazil 

 and other parts of South America. The carapace is deep black, 

 and eighteen inches long. This kind is sold as a great delicacy 

 in the markets at Caraccas. 



The RADIATED TORTOISE, T. radiata, a handsome species, is 

 a native of Madagascar, whence it is frequently taken to the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and to the Mauritius and Bourbon isles. The 

 carapace is hemispherical ; the plates are simple and black, with 

 a yellow central spot, whence diverge lines of the same color; the 

 plates of the plastron are ornamented with black and yellow. 



