96 CLASS REPTILIA. 



proceed from the egg. It also appears to have been described 

 as frequenting the waters of the Euphrates. 



The Tierce tortoise, Test, ferx., is distinguished as belong- 

 ing to this tribe, by the nature of its shield, hard or osseous 

 on the middle part only, while the edges are flexible and 

 coriaceous. The head is small and somewhat trigonal, with 

 the snout much lengthened. The neck, when drawn back, 

 appears very thick, and surrounded by many folds of skin ; 

 but when stretched out, its length is equal to that of the 

 whole shell. The legs are short and thick, and covered with 

 a wreathed skin. The feet are strongly webbed. The tail 

 is short, pointed, and curved inwardly. The shell beneath 

 is marked very elegantly with branches of vessels disposed 

 upon it. 



This species inhabits the rivers of Carolina, Georgia, Flo- 

 rida, and Guiana. Contrary to the character of the great 

 majority of tortoises, it possesses a very considerable portion 

 of vigour and activity, and will defend itself when disturbed 

 or attacked with remarkable fierceness and alacrity. It will 

 raise itself upon its legs, dart upon its assailant, and bite with 

 uncommon violence. It was first described by Dr. Gordon, 

 and afterwards by M. Pennant, in the Philosophical Tran- 

 sactions. One specimen seen by the former gentleman weighed 

 five and twenty pounds ; but it is said sometimes to grow so 

 large as to weigh seventy pounds. Its eggs are exactly 

 spherical, and more than an inch in diameter. Its flesh is 

 also reported to be extremely delicate, and equal, if not supe- 

 rior, to that of testudo mydas. 



Mr. Bartram, in his travels, has described a tortoise which 

 he calls the great soft-billed turtle, and which appears to be 

 the same as this. 



