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CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



having got so weak and out of tone that they could not digest 

 it. As soon as they eat any grass after landing they would 

 froth at the mouth, and appeared to be in a state of insanity, 

 and died in the course of a day or two. This satisfied me that 

 they were in some degree like other animals, and only differed 

 from them by being slower in their motions, and that it takes a 

 longer time to produce an effect upon their system than upon 

 that of other creatures. Those that survived the shock which 

 was occasioned by this sudden transition from total abstinence 

 to that of abundance, soon became tranquil, and appeared to 

 be as healthy and as contented with the climate as when they 

 were at their native place, and they would probably have lived 

 as long had they not been killed for food. Their flesh, 

 without exception, is of a sweet and pleasant flavor as any that 

 I ever ate. It was common to take out of one of them ten or 

 twelve pounds of fat when they were opened, besides what was 

 necessary to cook them with. This was as yellow as our best 

 butter, and of a sweeter flavor than hog's lard. They are the 

 slowest in their motions of any animal I ever saw except the 

 sloth. They are remarkable for their strength; one of them 

 would bear a man's weight on his back and walk with him. 

 I have seen them at one or two other places only. One instance 

 was those brought from Madagascar to the Isle of France, but 

 they were far inferior in size, had longer legs, and were much 

 more ugly in looks than those of the Galapagos Islands. I 

 think I have likewise seen them at some of the Oriental Islands 

 which I visited. 



"I have been more particular in describing the terrapin than 

 I otherwise should have been, had it not been for the many 

 vague accounts given of it by some writers, and the incorrect 

 statements made of the country in which it is to be found. The 

 frequent political comparisons and allusions which have been 

 made by our public papers and orators to this animal, may 

 have led the people of this country into incorrect notions con- 

 cerning them. It has been publicly said that terrapins are 

 common to China, which I am confident is incorrect; for I 

 have carried them to Canton at two different times, and every 

 Chinese who came on board my ship was particularly curious 

 in inspecting and asking questions about them, and not one, I 

 am positive, had any knowledge of the animal before." 



