512 MY GARDEN. 



themselves on the bank. When disturbed they dive rapidly, and con- 

 ceal themselves amongst the leaves and confervae at the bottom of 

 the river. These tortoises are now (1872) gradually disappearing. 



Curiously enough, when at one time on a visit at Loch Lomond, 

 I found one evening a Hawksbill Turtle. It was nearly dead, 

 otherwise it would have been a fine creature to have introduced 

 at Wallington. Ho\% this creature could have ascended the river 

 Clyde and got into the Lake was a problem I was totally unable 

 to solve, although some of the same species are occasionally found 

 on the coast. 



I have, been kindly supplied by Dr. Giinther with ova of the 

 Siredon piscifonnis, or Fish Lizard, which have hatched very satis- 

 factorily in pans in my Grapery. They grew to a certain size and 

 then perished, probably from the want of proper food. Dr. Gunther 

 strongly recommends an attempt to acclimatize them, as they are 

 esteemed to be good for food. ' Probably the water of our streams 

 is too cold for this South American curiosity. 



MY GARDEN ANIMALS. 



We generally keep one or two Dogs at the garden, and we have, 

 had some remarkable characters amongst them ; — none more so," 

 however, than one called Jack. Jack lived wild in London, and' 

 mounted guard with one of the police, accompanying him duriug the 

 night on his rounds. Jack was a general favourite, and got his 

 breakfa.st at one house and his dinner at another. When the children 

 and nursemaids were out he was always amongst them, and many &■ 

 child I have seen with its arms round Jack's neck, hugging him with 

 all its might. 



However, one day a cab-driver wantonly struck Jack with his whip: ^ 

 Jack resented this indignity, arid never allowed the man to come into 

 Finsbury Circus without attempting to tear him from his seat. Com- 

 plaints were made to the police, who suggested that we should take 

 possession of the dog, to save its life; but when we did so. loud were 



