TOETOISES. 



WATER-CARRYING TORTOISES. 



I REMEMBER reading some time since an account of the 

 water-carrying tortoises, a specimen of which was ex- 

 hibited at the San Francisco Academy of Sciences. 

 " This tortoise is a native of the arid regions of California 

 and Arizona. On one being dissected it was found that 

 it carried on each side a membrane, attached to the 

 inner portion of the shell, in which was about a pint 

 of clear water, the whole amount being about a quart. 

 Professor Cox was of opinion that the water was derived 

 from the secretions of the giant barrel cactus on which 

 the tortoise feeds. This cactus contains a great deal 

 of water. The tortoise is found in sections of the country 

 where there is no water, and where there is no vegetation 

 except the cactus. A traveller, suffering from thirst, 

 could, in an emergency, supply himself with water by 

 killing a tortoise. These tortoises are oftentimes at- 

 tacked by foes both for their water and for their flesh. 

 It was generally admitted that it would be useful if the 

 habits and peculiarities of these animals coUld be noted, 

 and some trustworthy information, as to how they collect 

 and secrete the water, obtained." 



During the last thirty years I have had the opportunity 

 of dissecting, I may say, hundreds of tortoises, and, upon 

 opening the body, the commonest condition most fre- 



184 



