SIR PETER EADE ON TORTOISES. 
371 
above 3 lb. My larger one now weighs 3 lb. 3^ oz., and is still 
growing. But there is a Tortoise now in this city which weighs 
as much as G lb. 5 oz. I judge, however, from its size and form, 
that it may be a variety of the common Tortoise. This creature 
must be not only an “ old inhabitant of this city,” but thoroughly 
naturalised into a British subject, as it is known to have lived in 
Norwich for at least thirty years. 
I have little to add to what I previously said (and to what 
White has said) as to Tortoise habits and manners. These appear to 
be very uniform, and to be guided by a most definite instinct ; and 
it is very noticeable and very remarkable how the two Tortoises will 
constantly both do the very same thing at the very same time, often 
almost at the same moment of time. For example, when feeding, 
even when apart from each other, they will constantly suddenly 
leave off eating almost at the same instant; or they will in like 
manner when basking in the sun, both at once get up and walk 
off to some other place ; or they will both all at once suddenly get 
up and march off to their evening place of shelter and rest, — and 
this without any definite atmospheric or other cause that is 
appreciable. 
Cuvier has well called the Tortoise “ un animal retnurnlt an 
animal inverted, or “turned inside out, or rather outside in.” And 
it is said that the large Land Tortoise, when withdrawn into its 
shell, “can defy the whole animal world except man, from whom 
nothing is safe.” And with reference to this point I have observed 
that our Tortoises when retiring to rest always take the greatest 
care to protect their noses and the anterior opening of their shells. 
When they burrow their head is of course covered up by the 
earth. But when, as is often the case in the warmer weather, they 
simply go to sleep in some sheltered place, they habitually place 
their heads close against the wall, or under the projecting roots of 
a tree or shrub, so as not to leave this part exposed. I presume, 
therefore, that they are conscious of some insecurity, and it would 
certainly appear that their heads would otherwise be open to the 
attack of rats or other predaceous animals. 
Professor Forbes describes the peculiar way in which he has in 
Greece observed the Tortoises to do their courting, i.e., the method 
by which the male Tortoise seeks to attract the attention of his 
lady-love, namely, by repeatedly knocking his shell violently 
