694 Geometric Tortoises [Aug. 



both became fatigued. This was done chiefly when they wanted to 

 pass each other in any narrow space, and sometimes if the one could 

 succeed in placing his shell a little beneath the other, he tilted him 

 over on his back, from whence he had great difficulty in recovering 

 himself, and I have frequently found them sprawling thus, making des- 

 perate efforts with head and feet, to throw themselves back to their 

 natural position, which they were unable to effect unless the ground 

 chanced to be very uneven, so as to assist them. 



In this kind of warfare the females also frequently indulged, and 

 from their superior size and strength generally accomplished their 

 wishes. 



In farther illustration of the acknowledged strength of the shell in 

 this tribe, I may mention that a party of officers on a shooting excur- 

 sion, perceived some creature crawling among the high jangal grass, 

 and not seeing distinctly what it was, fired a ball at a venture, which 

 took effect on the front of the carapace, merely making a dent by 

 chipping off the outer coating and causing no farther injury. This 

 was the female which produced the eggs already mentioned. 



I have an old work on Natural History, but by whom written I can- 

 not ascertain, as the title pages are torn out, in which it is stated, on 

 the subject of Land Tortoises, " that even the act of procreation, which 

 among the animals is performed in a very few minutes, is with them 

 the business of days. About a month after their enlargement from a 

 torpid state, they prepare to transmit their posterity j and both con- 

 tinue joined for near a month, together." 



Whether this be really the case with some species of Land Tortoise 

 or not, I cannot presume to say, but as regards the Geometric Tortoise 

 it is decidedly erroneous, these animals passing about a quarter of an 

 hour in conjunction, when, as I have stated, the male having appeased 

 his desire, dismounts and retires. They return to the females how- 

 ever, several times during the course of the day, and continued to do 

 so throughout the rainy season. Although they mount several times 

 during the day, the female does not admit them each time. 



In No. 29 of Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, at page 652, 

 there occurs the following possage, " White mentions it as reported 

 of the Land Tortoise, that it is occupied one month in completing one 

 /tied' amour; and this leads me to mention that I was more than 

 once informed in Jamaica that the male and female turtle remain 

 coupled during the period of nine days*." 



* W. Sells, Surgeon M. R. C. S., Kingston, Surrey. 



