THE MUD TORTOISE. 



13 



The real defence of the hedgehog lies in the points of its quills, and of the manis in the 

 razor-like edges of its scales, but the defence of the Tortoise is wholly inaggressive, and is 

 more allied to that of the armadillo or perhaps the singular pichiciago (Chlamydophorus 

 truncatus), a most remarkable little creature with a curious shelly covering spread over 

 nearly the whole upper surface and down the hind quarters. A description of this animal 

 may be found in the volume on the Mammalia, page 770. There are again many of the 

 lower animals which have a similar mode of defence, a very familiar example being the 

 well-known pill-woodlouse so common in our gardens, which rolls itself into a round ball 

 when alarmed, and permits itself to be handled and even rolled along the ground without 

 displaying any signs of life. 



The Box Tortoise is a terrestrial species, and always keeps to the dry forest-lands, 

 detesting the vicinity of water. It is commonly found in the pine forests, because they 

 are ahvays on thoroughly dry soil, and on account of its fondness for such localities is 



MUD TORTOISE. - Kinustcrnuii 



sometimes known by the popular name of the Pine Terrapin. The negroes call it by 

 the name of Cooter. In the wild state it mostly feeds on insects, and is peculiarly fond 

 of the cricket tribe, but in captivity it will eat almost any food that is offered, taking 

 insects, meat, apples, or even bread. 



It is a very little creature, being when adult a very little more than six inches in 

 length. In colour it is extremely variable, but is generally yellowish brown, striped with 

 a brighter hue, and sometimes mottled with black. Of a number of specimens in the 

 British Museum, no two are exactly alike, some being yellow, spotted M'ith black, while 

 others exactly reverse these tints, and are black, spotted with yellow. Others again are 

 yellow with black rays, and others olive with yellow rays and streaks. The carapace has 

 a very slight keel along its upper edge. 



The upper jaw of this species is furnished with a rather broad hook, and the lower 

 jaw is also hooked, but not so boldly. 



THE common MUD TORTOISE, so called from its mud-haunting propensities, is an 

 example of rather a curious genus of Tortoises, inhabiting America. 



It is an odd little creature, being when adult not quite four inches in length, and 

 moving with moderate speed. It is mostly found in ponds and muddy pools, where it feeds 

 upon fish, aquatic insects, and similar diet, catching even the active fish without much 

 difficulty. I lately saw some aquatic Tortoises, which I think belonged to this genus, 



