ZOOLOGY. 



obscure, for several species exist, which resort both to the 

 land and sea, or live on the edge of the larger rivers, whose 

 waters are alternately salt and fresh. The present Tortoise 

 from Panama (called by the natives of that country the 

 Ching-quaw) is supposed to be hitherto wholly undescribcd, 

 it has a considerable resemblance at the first sight to the 

 Testudo Literatus of Thunberg, but differs in the forms and 

 markings of the back, and also in the number of plates 

 forming the external circle. The head, back, and legs are 

 of a bright orange colour, mixed in a very agreeable man- 

 ner with dark circles of grey, the edges being of a bright 

 gold colour. 



The protection which Nature has kindly afforded to 

 this animal, by the strong defence of its armour, is truly 

 wonderful and striking, affording one of the strongest 

 instances of previous skill and design. When retiring from 

 its natural foes, it has the power of concealing its head, legs 

 and tail under a shelly plated covering, which envelope 

 both the upper and under side of its body. The tail is ad- 

 mirably contrived for balancing the motion of the feet, 

 which answer for the purpose of fins, being webbed between 

 the toes like those of a Duck. It is with much difficulty 

 that when placed upon its back in the water, ever it can 

 recover its natural position, and the strenuous efforts, which 

 in this case it always makes, are truly entertaining ; but at 

 length by unequally extending its feet and a constriction of 

 the neck to one side, it overthrows the equilibrium and 

 restores itself to the wished-for position. Upon land this is 

 still more difficult and even impossible, the sailors therefore 

 when they catch them upon the beach are in the habit of 

 turning over a great number successively, and afterwards 

 return to carry them off: their eggs also serve as an excel- 

 lent food. 



