1050 The American Naturalist. [December, 
their motions, and that it takes a longer time to produce an effect 
upon their system than upon that of other creatures. Those that 
survived the shock which was occasioned by this sudden transition 
from total abstinence to that of abundance, soon became tranquil, 
and appeared to be as healthy and as contented with the climate 
as when they were at their native place, and they would probably 
hav^e lived as long had they not been killed for food. Their flesh, 
without exception, is of a sweet and pleasant a flavour as any 
that I ever ate. It was common to take out of one of them ten 
or twelve pounds of fat when they were opened, besides what was 
necessary to cook them with. This was as yellow as our best 
butter, and of a sweeter flavour than hog's lard. They are the 
slowest in their motions of any animal I ever saw except the sloth. 
They are remarkable for their strength ; one of them would bear 
a man's weight on his back and walk with him. I have seen 
them at one or two other places only. One instance was those 
brought from Madagascar to the Isle of France, but they were 
far inferior in size, had longer legs, and were much more ugly in 
looks than those of the Galapagos Islands. I think I have like- 
wise seen them at some of the Oriental Islands which I visited. 
" I have been more particular in describing the terrapin than I 
otherwise should have been, had it not been for the many vague 
accounts given of it by some writers, and the incorrect statements 
made of the country in which it is to be found. The frequent 
political comparisons and allusions which have been made by 
our public papers and orators to this animal, may have led the 
people of this country into incorrect notions concerning them. It 
has been publicly said that terrapins are common to China, which 
I am confident is incorrect ; for I have carried them to Canton 
at two different times, and every Chinese who came on board my 
ship was particularly curious in inspecting and asking questions 
about them, and not one, I am positive, had any knowledge of 
the animal before." 
The most important of the other accounts is that given by Cap- 
tain David Porter, who visited the Galapagos Islands, between 181 2 
and 1814 different times on the United States frigate Essex. He 
was the first one who noticed the difference of the tortoises on 
