CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 101 



twenty-three days ; and on opening the body twenty days 

 after, the motion of the heart was perceptible. 



§ 424. The Green Turtle (Chelonia Midas) weighs, 

 when full grown, eight hundred pounds, has a shell of a 

 pale olive-green color, and lives in the tropical seas of 

 America and Africa. It is sometimes seen in the Bay of 

 New York, and even in the waters of England. It feeds 

 solely on sea-weeds, and hence the delicacy of its flesh. 



\ 425. The Soft-shelled Turtle (Trionyx ferox) is about 

 nine inches long, and has a dark slate-colored cartilagi- 

 nous shell with numerous spots. It is found in the lakes 

 and western rivers of the United States, and is esteemed 

 a wholesome article of food. 



\ 426. The Snapping-turtle, the Painted, the Spotted, 

 and the Mud Turtle, with the Terrapin and Box-turtle, 

 are the best-known among the many other species of the 

 United States. 



QUESTIONS ON SECT. XXHI. 



§ 420. What is the essential character of the Tortoise ? Describe it. 



§ 421. How can you prove that Tortoises live to a very great age? 



§ 42-2. How was the tenacity of life of a Tortoise shown ? 



§ 423. What was the result when the head was cut off? 



§ 424. What is the weight, color, native country, food, and use of the 

 Green Turtle ? 



§ 425. What is the size, color, abode, and use of the Soft-shelled 

 Turtle ? 



§ 426. What Turtles of the United States are the best known? 



SECTION XXV. 



4th Order — Frogs : (Batrachia.) 



§427. All Reptiles, which are covered with a soft 

 skin, and provided with two or four feet, belong to the 

 Order Batrachia; as frogs, toads, sirens, and sala- 

 manders. 



§428. The Bullfrog (Rana pipiens) is eight inches 

 long, measures three and a half inches across the body, 

 9* 



