FIERCE TORTOISE. 6S 



by the nostrils, and projecting much beyond the 

 lower mandible : the neck, when retracted, appears 

 very thick, and surrounded by many Avreaths or 

 folds of skin ; but when exserted, is of very great 

 length, so as nearly to equal that of the whole 

 shell : the legs are short, thick, and covered with 

 a wreathed skin : the feet are all furnished with 

 strong and broad webs, connecting the three last 

 toes of each; the three first on each fdot are 

 furnished with pretty strong claws ; but the re- 

 maining ones are unarmed ; and besides the real 

 or proper toes are two spurious or additional ones 

 on the hind, and one on the fore feet, serving to 

 strengthen and expand the web to a greater de- 

 gree : the tail is short, pointed, and curving in- 

 wards : the eyes are very small and round. The 

 colour of this animal on the upper parts is a deep 

 brownish olive, and on the under parts white ; the 

 shell being marked beneath in a very elegant 

 manner, vv^ith ramifications of vessels disposed 

 upon it. 



This species is found in Pensylvania, Carolina, 

 &c. &c. and, contrary to the nature of most others 

 of the tribe, is possessed of very considerable vi- 

 gour and swiftness of motion, springing forwards 

 towards its assailant, when disturbed or attacked, 

 with great fierceness and alacrity. Its length is 

 about a foot and half, or more, and its breadth 

 about fifteen inches. It was first described by 

 Dr. Garden, who communicated it to Mr. Pen- 

 nant, by whom it was introduced into the Phi- 

 losophical Transactions. A specimen examined 



V. III. p. I. S 



