Bill PETER EADE ON TORTOISES. 
317 
Another Tortoise, Avhicli I purchased, did actually dio a short 
time afterwards, having lived in a state of semi-stupor for tlio 
intervening period ; and I fear tliat the capability of these creatures 
for suffering is not much recognised in the usual methods of their 
conveyance and treatment. 
I'lic two Tortoises which survived liave, os I said, now lived on 
my promises and thriven for three and four years. They have 
become almost pets. Tliey most evidently recognize the place as 
tlieir home. They know the various localities of the garden 
perfectly. They know’ the sunny spots to which to go at suitable 
times, to bask. They know where to find sun, and where to find 
tliis and sliado combined, when they so desire it ; and they return, 
afternoon after afternoon, to the .same cosy, and dr}', and sheltered 
spots, under the dry ivy of the wall, or elsewhere, which they 
have often previously selecteil as their night’s abode. 
It is very plain that they have some recognition of individuals. 
For instance, if Lady Fade and myself are both preparing to feed 
them, they will constantly leave me and walk off to her, — doubtless 
because she is more in the habit of bringing them their favourite 
kinds of food than 1 am. 
'I’liey appear to bo quick of sight, but show’ very little, if any, 
sign of having any impressions conveyed to them by the sense of 
hearing. They evidently possess a full sense of taste, for they 
discriminate instantly between food they like, and that which is 
less palatable to them. 
The daily habits of these creatures are certainly very staid and 
methodical, and vary but little, except as the season of the year, 
and the w’armth of the day, vary. 
They are often, in the height of summer, quite early risers, and 
on sunny mornings will often be up, and perambulating the garden, 
and nibbling tlie little trefoil leaves found amongst the grass, by 
seven or six o’clock, or even earlier. But, I must say, that these 
early habits are quite limited to the very finest weather ; and it 
lias seemed that in the matter of early activity, these animals 
always err, if at all, on the side of care and caution. They never 
leave their beds, or the neighbourhood of cover, if there is the 
.slightest appearance of cloudiness or rain, at least until the day is 
well iqi ; and for a large portion of their year the time for coming 
forth is not until eight, nine, or ten o'clock. 
