OF SELBORNE. 
LETTER L. 
TO THE SAME. 
DEAR SIR, Selborne, April 21, 1780. 
The old Sujex tortoife, that I have mentioned to you fo often, is 
become my property. I dug it out of it's winter dormitory in 
March laft, when it was enough awakened to exprefs it's refentments 
by hiffing ; and, packing it in a box with earth, carried it eighty 
miles in pofl-chaifes. The rattle and hurry of the journey fo per- 
fe6lly roufed it that, when I turned it out on a border, it walked 
twice down to the bottom of my garden ; however, in the even- 
ing, the weather being cold, it buried itfelf in the loofe mould, 
and continues fi;ill concealed. 
As it will be under my eye, I ftiall now have an opportunity of 
enlarging my obfervations on it's mode of life, and propenfities ; 
and perceive already that, towards the time of coming forth, it 
opens a breathing place in the ground near it's head, requiring, 
I conclude, a freer refpiration as it becomes more alive. This 
creature not only goes under the earth from the middle of 
November to the middle of April, but fleeps great part of the 
fummer; for it goes to bed in the longefl days at four in the 
afternoon, and often does not ftir in the morning till late. Be- 
fides, it retires to reft for every fhower ; and does not move at all 
in wet days. 
When 
