PEP TELIA. 
99 
swarms. It does not appear to associate with either the Tropic or 
the White-bird, but is one of the most abundant species at St. 
Helena. 
CLASS III.— REPTILIA. 
Order Lacertilia. 
Hemidactylus, Cuv. 
H. frenatus, Schleg. — A small brown harmless lizard, about four 
belies in length, which lives under stones and old timber in the warm 
lower parts of the Island. It seldom enters houses unless in pursuit 
°f flies or scorpions, but is plentiful about the neighbourhood of 
Jamestown, where in the evening its loud chirp is frequently heard. 
Order Chelonia. 
Chelonia, Flem. 
'C. viridis ?, Schn. — Turtle are taken at St. Helena, generally on 
the surface of the water, near the leeward coast ; about six or eight of 
a very large size are caught and brought to market during the year. 
Caretta, Merrem. 
*C. imbricata, Schweig. — The Hawk’s-bill Turtle, which is of so 
much value on account of the tortoiseshell of commerce being 
obtained from it, is occasionally caught on the leeward coast, but it 
ls rare - It is a native both of American and Asiatic Seas. 
Testudo, Linn. 
T. indiea,? Grm. — Two of these very large tortoises have, it is 
said, for no one knows when they were introduced, lived at Planta- 
tion for a century or more. They are remarkably strong, easily 
carrying a man and walking with him a considerable distance. 
Unwieldy and ugly as they are, they appear to enjoy their uninterest 
ln g life in travelling about the garden and grounds, but always 
return to their hole in the earth, under cover of a tuft of thick long 1 
® lass on the lawn. They have not bred in the Island. 
Occasionally a small imported species of Tortoise is seen in the 
stand, but they do not appear to live long. 
Ihere being no snakes or alligators, the other orders of this class 
are unrepresented at St. Helena. 
h 2 
