12 



THE BOX TORTOISE. 



Vert many species of Tortoise are extremely variable in their color, but there are few 

 which are so remarkable in this respect as the creature which is appropriately named the Box 

 ToR'JoisE (Gistudo Carolina). 



This species belongs to America, and is found spread over the whole of the Northern States. 

 It is very plentiful in the localities which it favors, and although so small a creature, is able 

 by means of its wonderful organization to jjrotect itself against almost every foe. Many of the 

 Tortoises can withdraw their limbs and head into their shell, leaving open, however, the aper- 

 tures throiigh which this movement is achieved, so that the animal might be killed or hooked 

 01] t by a persevering foe, such as the jaguar, wMch is known to attack turtles, insinuate its 

 lithe paw within the shell, and scoop out the inhaliitant with its sharp curved claws. 



But in those instances where the animal has the power of closing the openings through 

 which the legs, tail, and head pi'otrude, there is hardly any mode of getting at the flesh with- 



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BOX TORTOISE.— OUCmlo caroliiia. 



out breaking the shell, a feat beyond the power of any animal, except perhaps an elephant, to 

 perform. Certain birds, it is said, are clever enough to soar to a great height with the Tor 

 toise, and break the shell by letting it fall upon a convenient rock, but this story does not seem 

 to be very strongly attested. Several species possess this valuable capability, but none to so 

 perfect a degree as the Box Tortoise, which, according to the Rev. Sydney Smith's felicitous 

 summary, need feai- no eneiriy except man and the boa constrictor, the former taking him home 

 and roasting hitn, and the latter swallowing him entire and consuming him slowly in its interior, 

 as the Court of Chancery does a large estate. 



With regard to this curious propensity, it is evident that there is some analogy between 

 these Tortoises and certain mammalia, which are also able to withdraw themselves within the 

 protection of certain armor with which they are furnished. In the case of the hedgehog, the 

 animal assumes more of an offensive than a defensive character, and relies, not on an impene- 

 trable covering, for the skin is soft, and a pointed weapon can find an easy entrance between 

 the spines, but on the l^ristly array of bayonet-like spikes that pi'otrude their threatening points 

 in every direction, and bid a tacit defiance to the foe. 



