18 
THE MAT AM AT A. 
a lobe between the claws. They are aquatic Tortoises, carnivorous, and voracious, and only 
feed while in the water. When swimming, the whole of the shell is kept below the surface. 
The Matamata is certainly the most remarkable of aspect among all the Tortoises, and 
perhaps may lay claim to be considered one of the oddest-looking animals in the world, far 
exceeding in its grotesque ungainliness even the wild and weird creations of the middle-age 
. painters. 
This Tortoise inhabits Southern America, and is most plentiful in Cayenne. Formerly it 
was very common, but on account of the excellence of its flesh, it has been subject to such 
persecution that its numbers have been considerably diminished. It haunts the lakes and 
rivers, where it swims well and with some speed. As is the case with most aquatic Tortoises, 
it is carnivorous, and feeds on fish, reptiles, and other creatures, which it captures by a sudden 
snap of its sharp beak. In general, it appears not to care for chasing, the intended prey, but 
conceals itself among the reeds and herbage of the river-side, and from its hiding-place thrusts 
NEW HOLLAND CHELODINE, OR SNAKE TORTOISE . — Hydromedusa marimiliani. 
out its neck suddenly upon its victims as they pass unsuspectingly within reach of their 
destroyer. On occasion, however, it will issue from its concealment, dart rapidly through the 
water and seize a fish, reptile, or even a water-fowl, and then retire with its prey to its former 
hiding-place. 
It is a large and formidable creature, attaining, when adult, to a length of three feet. 
The head of the Matamata is most singular in shape, and remarkable for the strange 
appendages which are placed upon it. The head itself is much flattened, and rather broad, 
and the snout is prolonged in a most extraordinary manner, so as to form an elongated and 
flexible double tube. 
On the top of the head are two membranous prolongations of the skin, standing boldly 
from the head, and having much the appearance of ears. From the chin hang two curiously- 
fringed membranes, and the throat is decorated with four similar membranes, but of larger 
size and more deeply fringed. The neck is long, and bears upon its upper surface two rows of 
small, membranous tufts, deeply fringed, and greatly resembling, in every point but that of 
size, the tufts on the chin and throat. The limbs are powerful, and the tail is short. 
