ORDER CHELONIA. 65 



This tortoise is found in Asia and Africa, at the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and in Ascension Island. Grew tells us that it 

 is found at Madagascar. Seba received one individual from 

 Brazil, and another from Amboina. In the former of these 

 countries, according to Pison, it bears the name of Jahoti, 

 but this name would appear to be applied to many Bra- 

 zilian tortoises. Thunberg informs us that the Hottentots 

 make use of its shell to hold their stock of tobacco, and 

 adds, that it is very common in the small woods near the 

 Cape. According to Bruguiere, it lays twelve or fifteen 

 eggs. 



The Tabular Tortoise {Test tahulata) is an American 

 species, in which the shields are in general hexagonal ; but 

 some on the sides are nearly pentagonal. The central part of 

 each shield is large and slightly granulated, the sides are 

 deeply furrowed, and the whole has a sort of tabular or 

 flattened appearance, as intended to be expressed by its name. 

 The whole shell is very convex, of a deep yellowish chestnut, 

 palest at the centre of each shield. The legs are thick, and 

 are remarkable for having a number of blood-red spots on 

 each. 



The radiated tortoise, or Cowi, of the French, {T. 

 Radiata,) has the carapace very rounded and convex ; yellow 

 rays on one or two sides only of the scaly plates ; twenty- 

 four marginal plates ; the general colour is black. 



This tortoise was first observed by Daudin, in the galle- 

 ries of the Museum of Natural History in Paris. This 

 writer was ignorant from what country it came. The baron 

 states it to be from New Holland, without giving his autho- 

 rity ; but the native country of this species is said by Grew 

 to be Madagascar, whose very accurate description of the 

 animal we present to our readers. 



" It was sent from Madagascar. I find the animal no 

 where described or figured. It is above half oval, being, of 



VOL. IX. F 



