( 



28 TESTUDO POLYPHEMUS. 



with a darker brown, which latter colour predominates in some individuals;* the 

 sternum is dirty yellow; the head is darker than the shell, sometimes almost 

 black; the upper jaw is brown, the lower jaw yellowish; the neck and anterior 

 extremities are dusky above, dirty yellow below; the posterior extremities simply 

 dusky in colour. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 141 inches; sternum, 12^ inches; thigh, 23 

 inches; leg, to the centre of the sole of the foot, 2J inches. 



GEOGRAPmcAL DISTRIBUTION. The most northern limit of the Gopher is the 

 western border of South Carolina. They are numerous in Edgefield and Barnwell 

 districts, whence they extend through Georgia, Alabama, and the Floridas. 

 According to Le Sueur, they are brought to the New Orleans market, though 

 probably not from the immediate neighbourhood. 



Habits. They select dry and sandy places, are generally found in troops, and 

 are very abundant in pine barren countries. They are gentle in their habits, 

 living entirely on vegetable substances. They are fond of the sweet potato, 

 (Convolvulus batatas,) and at times do much injury to gardens, by destiw'ing 

 melons, as well as bulbous roots, &c. &:c. In the wild state they are represented 

 as nocturnal animals, or as seeking their food by night: when domesticated, 

 and I have kept many of them for years, they may be seen grazing at all hours 

 of the day. When first placed in confinement, they chose the lowest part of the 

 garden, where they could most easily burrow; this spot being once overflowed by 

 salt water in a high spring tide, they migrated to the upper part, nearly eighty 

 yards distant, and prepared anew their habitations. They seldom wandered far 

 from their holes, and generally spent part of the day in their burrows. They 

 delighted in the sun in mild weather, but could not support the intense heat of 

 our summer noons; at those hours they retreated to their holes, or sought shelter 



* This colour was remarkable in the specimen from which tlie accompanjing drawing was 

 taken. 



