CHELONIA. 11 



the waving forests of an asparagus-bed. But, as he 

 avoids heat in the summer, so in the decline of the 

 year he improves the faint autumnal beams by getting 

 within the reflection of a fruit-wall ; and, though he 

 has never read that planes inclining to the horizon re- 

 ceive a greater share of warmth, he inclines his shell 

 by tilting it against the wall, to collect and admit 

 every feeble ray."* 



In Murray's Researches in Natural History are 

 some remarkable instances of the longevity of this 

 Tortoise. One lived in Lambeth Palace 107 years ; 

 another remained in the garden of the Episcopal 

 Palace of Fulham 128 years ; and how old these 

 were when taken is, of course, unknown. Another 

 is mentioned to have lived 220 years ; and one in 

 Exeter 'Change, 800 ; but this latter appears not to 

 be sufficiently authenticated. Some records of one 

 of these are interesting, and confirmatory of the accu- 

 racy of Mr. White. 



" From a document belonging to the archives of the 

 Cathedral, it is well ascertained that the Tortoise at 

 Peterborough must have been about 220 years old. 

 Bishop Marsh's predecessor in the See of Peterbo- 

 rough had remembered it above sixty years, and 

 could recognise no visible change. He was the 

 seventh bishop who had worn the mitre during its 

 sojourn there. 



" This animal had its antipathies and predilections. 

 It would eat endive, green peas, and even the leek ; 



* -Nat. Hist. Selb. (Ed. of Soc. Prom. Chr. Knowl.) pp. 153, 167, 

 278. 



