The Turtles. 97 



you have lived near turtles so long, 

 tell me something about them." 



" There are some kinds of turtles I have never 

 seen ; but I have heard and read about them," 

 said Roy. 



"Some live on the land, and are called land 

 turtles ; some live in the sea, and are called sea 

 turtles ; some live in lakes, rivers, and streams, 

 and are called river or pond turtles. 



" The turtle has a hard shell for its house. It 

 draws in its head, legs, and tail when danger is 



near." 



Charles had noticed this, and took one of the 

 turtles in his hand to count the plates on the 

 top of its house. How many large ones did he 

 find ? How many small ones around the edge ? 



"Put the turtles on the floor," said Roy, "and 

 watch them walk. See how they push themselves 

 along with their sharp claws ! Hear their shell 

 go rap, rap, as they move along. Can you tell 

 why it makes this rapping noise ? 



" I once had a turtle, which I kept in the 

 house all winter. It became very tame, and 

 would follow me all over the lower part of the 

 house. 



" It could not go up stairs, but one day it 



