THE SEA-TURTLE. 123 



Indeed, the habits of these land-crabs may be reckoned among 

 the phenomena of animated nature. 



CRUSTACEOUS FISHES OF THE TORTOISE 

 KIND, 



Form also a curious subject of natural history. Animals of 

 this nature are divided into two classes, one residing on land 

 and the other in the water ; and in this respect resemble the 

 crab genus. The two species are distinguished by the names 

 of the tortoise and the turtle, the former being an inhabitant of 

 the land, and the other of the sea. In their internal conforma- 

 tion they bear a strong resemblance to each other, but they differ 

 very much in size. 



The land tortoise is found from one to four or five feet in 

 length, and from five to eighteen inches across the back. The 

 head, which it can, at pleasure, protend beyond or draw within 

 the shell, resembles that of the serpent kind. The tail is long and 

 scaly, and the exterior covering of the animal is composed of 

 several pieces of shell joined together in the firmest and most 

 compact manner, and somewhat resembling the tiling of a 

 house. 



This animal, which is of the most pacific disposition, is ad- 

 mirably armed for defence. It is also remarkable for longevity; 

 and although it is difficult to ascertain the precise duration of 

 its life, there is a well-authenticated instance recorded of one 

 kept in the gardens of Lambeth Palace, which was known to 

 have lived above a hundred and twenty years. The tortoise is, 

 indeed, so tenacious of life, that it cannot, without difficulty, be 

 destroyed: it even, in some measure, seems calculated for im- 

 mortality; for it is said that it retains the vital principle a 

 considerable time after the loss of its brain, and even of its head. 

 Experiments, shocking to humanity, have sometimes been made, 

 in order to see how far this animal is capable of enduring pain , 

 but all knowledge gained by so flagrant an offence against the 

 Creator of the universe, as this infliction of torments on his un- 

 offending creatures, had better remain for ever concealed. 



THE SEA-TURTLE 



Comprehends a variety of species, some of which are neither 

 palatable nor wholesome ; while others are celebrated in the 

 annals of epicurism. Of the former class is the great turtle of 

 the Mediterranean, which is the largest of the whole race, 

 though its flesh is coarse and unwholesome. One species, 

 called the hawksbill, is valued for its shell, of which all our tor 

 toise-shell snuff-boxes, and other trinkets, are made. The green 

 turtle is that which is held in such high esteem for the table 



