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THE LAND TORTOISE. 



It is from one to five feet in length, from the tip of the 

 snout to the extremity of the tail, and from five to eighteen 

 inches across the back. The head is small, somewhat like 

 that of the serpent kind, and may be protended or concealed 

 under the shell at pleasure ; the eye has no upper lid ; the 

 tail is long and scaly, like that of a lizard; and the exterior 

 covering is composed of several pieces of shell, united in 

 the firmest and most compact manner. 



Though this animal is of the most pacific disposition, it 

 is admirably formed for defence, and seems to be almost 

 endowed with immortality. Scarcely any violence can 

 deprive it of life : it will retain the vital principle after it is 

 deprived of the brain, and even of the head. It is remark- 

 able for its longevity ; and, though it is difficult to ascertain 

 its precise duration, there is an instance recorded of one 

 kept in the garden of Lambeth Palace, which was known 

 to have lived above one hundred and twenty years. 



The animals of this genus have their bodies defended 

 with a shell which consists of two plates, one above, the 

 other below, joined together at their edges. The upper 

 one is convex, and is generally formed of thirteen plates 

 regularly arranged, and surrounded by a margin of 

 twenty-four. There is a hole for the passage of the head 

 and fore feet at one end of this compact piece of armour, 

 and another at the other end for the tail and hind legs. 

 The animal cannot disengage itself from this covering, its 

 very bones being united to it ; it forms, however, a sufficient 

 defence against every enemy but man. The head is small, 

 and the want of teeth is supplied by hard bony ridges. 

 The upper jaw closes over the lower like the lid of a box, 

 and with such strength, that it is hardly possible to force 

 them open. The legs are short, but astonishingly strong ; 

 one of the larger species has been known to carry on its 

 back, without apparent difficulty, as many as five men. 

 Though of a clumsy appearance, these animals are very 

 gentle; few, except the loggerhead and fierce turtles, 

 make any resistance when taken. They are so tenacious 



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