LAND-TORTOISE. 543 



running along one side of each, and continued about half way 

 along the upper part : there is also an oblong patch of a similar 

 colour, running down the lower part or side of each ; and on the 

 top or centre of each piece is an obscurely square or oblong space, 

 rather more depressed than the rest, and marked, as in many other 

 tortoise-shells, with roughish spots or granules: several furrows, 

 more or less distinct in different individuals, appear traced round 

 the sides of each piece, becoming gradually less distinct as they 

 approach the upper part or space just mentioned. The colours of 

 the shell are more or less bright in the different specimens, and are 

 subject, as well as even the shape of the pieces themselves, to 

 some occasional variations ; and when very old, the shell becomes 

 much smoother than in the younger animals, the sulci or furrows, 

 as well as the areolae or spaces on the top of each scutellum or 

 piece, being almost obliterated. The under or belly part of the 

 shell is of a citron or pale yellow colour, with a broad blackish or 

 deep-brown zone down each side, leaving the middle part plain. 

 The head is rather small than large ; the eye small and black ; the 

 mouth not extending beyond the eyes ; the upper part of the head 

 covered with somewhat irregular, tough scales, and the neck with 

 smaller granulations, so as to be flexible at the pleasure of the 

 animal. The legs are short, and the feet moderately broad, covered 

 with strong ovate scales, and commonly furnished with four mode- 

 rately stout claws on each ; but this is a circumstance which cannot 

 be allowed to constitute a part of the specific character, since in 

 different individuals, either from age, or other circumstances, these 

 parts are found to vary in number, there being sometimes five 

 claws instead of four on the fore feet. The tail is about the same 

 length with the legs, or rather shorter, and is covered with small 

 scales, and terminates in a naked horny pointed tip or process. 



This animal lives to a most extraordinary age ; several well at- 

 tested examples being adduced of its having considerably exceeded 

 the period of a century. One of the most remarkable instauces is 

 that of a tortoise introduced into the archiepiscopal garden at Lam- 

 beth, in the time of Archbishop Laud, and as near as can be col- 

 lected from its history, about the year 1633, which continued to live 

 there till the year 1753, when it was supposed to have perished ra- 

 ther from accidental neglect on the part of the gardener, than 

 from the mere effect of age. This tortoise has had the honour of 



