CHELONIA. 13 



lethargy if any person approached even at a distance 

 of twelve feet."* 



The Indian Tortoise (T. Indica) is the largest 

 known species ; it grows to the length of four feet, 

 and is of a dull brown hue without markings. It 

 has been brought to Europe alive. A species re- 

 sembling this, (T. Pardalis,) but of a dull yellow- 

 ish tinge, with black spots, was some time in the 

 possession of Mr. Bell, when it had the range of 

 a small orchard, and fed heartily on grass, which 

 it plucked with a movement similar to that of a 

 goose. Its neck was so long and flexible, that it 

 could raise its head above the level of its back, 

 and thus look all around by merely turning the 

 head. Its shell was two feet long.-)- 



Some of the Land Tortoises (Kinixysty have the 

 hinder portion of the shell moveable, as it were, 

 with a hinge, so that when the feet and tail are 

 drawn in, the shell may meet the hind part of the 

 sternum, and close up the orifice ; while others 

 (Pyxis$) can close up the anterior opening by a 

 similar hinge in the fore part of the sternum. 



Emys,\\ the Fresh-water Tortoises. 



In these the toes are separate and webbed, and 

 furnished with longer nails : the tail is generally 



* Murray's "Researches," ed. 1830, p. 94. 

 f* Zool. Journ. vol. iii. p. 419. 

 I Kiviu, Jrineo, to move, and /v?, ixys^ the loins. 

 TTf /? , pyxis, a box. || 'Ef^vg, emys, a tortoise. 



