4 TRAXSACTIOXS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The water tortoises require similar conditions to 

 those of crocodiles. These may be easily distinguished 

 by the flattened webbed feet and usually depressed 

 carapaces. Most of the water forms are animal feeders 

 and tear their food with their long- and sharp claws. 

 It is necessary to be very careful in handling- the larger 

 ones as they bite very badly, usually taking out a piece 

 of one's finger. 



The large Amazon fresh water tortoise (Podocnemis) 

 seems to be a vegetable feeder. Some years ago a 

 specimen measuring eighteen inches long was brought to 

 me dead, and on opening it I found it was packed with 

 seeds resembling those of the sycamore and another type 

 resembling pepper berries. I planted some of the former 

 and a few germinated and put forth the dicotyledons, but 

 died before its true leaves came, as the cold Aveather 

 set in. Most of the seeds and berries had been bitten, 

 I presumed that they must liave falh>n into the water 

 and then been taken as food. Most land tortoises are 

 vegetable feeders, and Avill hibernate if they liave been 

 feeding well and are put into earth or moss. 



These two grou]is aie (•(»ni])aiatively easily dealt 

 with, they will feed readily and are not much siibject to 

 diseases. Yet tliere are certain conditions to be aware of. 

 Crocodiles sliould not l)e fed eiiiirt'ly on meal, as there is 

 a tendency for tlieir ])oii('s to liecome softened, no doubt 

 due to an insufficiency of lime salts. However, apart 

 from this, they are liabh' to injure their jaws and teeth in 

 biting at any haitl substance introduced into the case, 

 and afterwards developing obstinate soi'es. The Caspian 

 tortoise (Clciii >in/s rnsp/cd] has often patches of diseased 

 bone in its cara])ace, and in s(>])arat ing, openings are left. 



The <)|)hi(lia aie very much UKnc dillicult to h)ok 

 after, not so niucli on account of the heat oi liglit as 



