REPTILES. 293 



facility. In them also the feet are webbed. The food 

 consists of Fishes, Amphibia, Insects, Molluscs, and carrion. 

 Some which inhabit the waters of Carolina and South America 

 are called Alligator Tortoises, and are remarkable for their 

 activity and for the great strength of their jaws. 



The Land Tortoises (Testudinidcc) are entirely herbivorous ; 

 the feet are blunt, and furnished with short claws. The 

 species best known in this country is the (Testudo Grccca, 

 Fig. 235, 236). When at liberty, it buries itself towards 



LAND TORTOISE. 



235. Upper Surface. 236. Lower Surface. 



the beginning of winter, and remains in its dormitory until 

 spring. 



The great longevity of these creatures seems to be one of 

 the most remarkable circumstances in their history. One is 

 recorded as living at Peterborough whose age must havo 

 been about 220 years. " Bishop Marsh's predecessor in the 

 see of Peterborough had remembered it about sixty years, 

 and could recognise no visible change. He was the seventh 

 bishop who had worn the mitre during its sojourn there."* 

 The weight of this animal was 13^K)S. yet it moved with 

 apparent ease, though pressed by a weight of eighteen stone. 



Mr. Darwin mentions the great abundance of Tortoises in 

 all the islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. These creatures 

 sometimes grow to an immense size; he had been told of some 

 so large that six or eight men were required to lift them from 



* Extracted from Murray's " Experimental Researches," as quoted in a 

 foot-note to Sir William Jardine's edition of " White's Selborne." , 



VOL. II. E 



