"Hi FAMILY TK.STrriMI).]-:. 



without any particular care. It digs a pit in the ground, in 

 which to hybernate ; and it also buries its eggs in the soil. 



lightly covering them with earth. Some very large species of 

 this group are found between or near the tropics. Thus the 

 (yalapagos Islands are inhabited by great numbers of gigantic 

 Tortoises, weighing above two hundred pounds each ; which are 

 described as wholesome and palatable articles of food. Mr. 

 l;ar\vin, who has given an interesting account of these animals, 

 tells us that on catching a Tortoise, the captor makes an incision 

 in it- skin near the tail, to see whether there is a thick layer of 

 fa i und.T the dorsal plate. If not, the animal is allowed to go 

 a.L r ain. and appears to be but little incommoded by the operation. 

 Tin- inhabitants of these Islands also put the Tortoises to a still 

 more curioa- use. The springs are always situated in the centre 

 of the Islands, and at a considerable elevation, and the Tortoises 

 which live in the lower districts are compelled, when in want of 

 water, to travel up to the springs to lay in a stock of that iluid. 

 After a vi-it to the springs, the bladder is found fdled witli a 

 very pure waier : and the inhabitants of the, low country, Avhen 

 overcome with thirst, kill a Tortoise, and drink the water con- 

 tained in the bladder. This species appears to be identical with 

 the India ii Tortoise, and grows to a very large si/e. In the 

 garden-; of ihe Zoological Society in the Regent's Park there 

 wa.-. a few years ago. a specimen of this Torloi.-c. which mea- 



