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 inaggress- 

 ive, and is more allied to that of the armadillo or perhaps the singular pichiciago 

 (Cli lam \dophonts tntncatits\ 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 always on thoroughly dry soil, and on account of its fondness for such localities is 



MUD TORTOISE. Klnosternon Penasylvanlcum. 



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 color 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 with 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 mov- 

 ing 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 



