THE BOX TORTOISE 



31 



THE Box TORTOISE 1 is, to my mind, one of the small 

 wonders of Nature, the special purpose of which is to point 

 out how far "specialization" can go in fitting an animal to 

 survive. After all, the most interesting things about animals 



BOX TORTOISES. 



are the lessons they teach bearing upon the development of 

 the world and its inhabitants. , 



Excepting these and similar forms, the small Chelonians 

 find refuge from danger in the watery depths of the ponds 

 and streams they inhabit. The Box Tortoise, however, 

 formed for life on land, is so small it has required a special 

 invention for its protection. 



Its shell is high, and contains sufficient room to permit 

 the head, legs and tail to be fully withdrawn within it. Across 

 the centre of the lower shell, or plastron, a practical double 

 hinge has been provided. Thus, in time of danger, the ani- 



1 Cis-tu'do Carolina. 



