TURTLE TRAITS 133 



long-fringed appendages on the head and neck, 

 which, waving about, serve a similar purpose. 



The edible terrapin has, in many places, become 

 very rare ; so that thousands of them are kept and 

 bred in enclosed areas, or "crawls," as they are 

 called. This species is noted for its curious dis- 

 position, and it is often captured by being 

 attracted by some unusual sound. 



The tortoise-shell of commerce is obtained from 

 the shell of the hawksbill turtle, the plates of 

 which, being very thin, are heated and welded to- 

 gether until of the required thickness. The age to 

 which turtles live has often been exaggerated, but 

 they are certainly the longest lived of all living 

 creatures. Individuals from the Galapagos Is- 

 land are estimated to be over four hundred years 

 old. When, in a zoological garden, we see one of 

 these creatures and study his aged, aged look, as 

 he slowly and deliberately munches the cabbage 

 which composes his food, we can well believe that 

 such a being saw the light of day before Colum- 

 bus made his memorable voyage. 



He's his own landlord, his own tenant ; stay 

 Long as he will, he dreads no Quarter Day. 

 Himself he boards and lodges; both invites 

 And feasts himself ; sleeps with himself o'nights. 

 He spares the upholsterer trouble to procure 

 Chattels; himself is his own furniture, 

 Knock when you will, — he's sure to be at home. 



Charles Lamb. 



