TOETOISES. 
WATER-CARRYING TORTOISES. 
I REMEMBER reading some time since an account of the 
water-carrying tortoises, a specimen of which was ex- 
hibited at the San Francisco Academy of Sciences. 
‘‘ This tortoise is a native of the arid regions of California 
and Arizona. On one -being dissected it was found that 
it carried on each side a membrane, attached to the 
inner portion of the shell, in which was about a pint 
of clear water, the whole amount being about a quart. 
Professor Cox was of opinion that the water was derived 
from the secretions of the giant barrel cactus on which 
the tortoise feeds. This cactus contains a great deal 
of water. The tortoise is found in sections of the country 
where there is no water, and where there is no vegetation 
except the cactus. A traveller, suffering from thirst, 
could, in an emergency, supply himself with water by 
killing a tortoise. These tortoises are oftentimes at- 
tacked by foes both for their water and for their flesh. 
It was generally admitted that it would be useful if the 
habits and peculiarities of these animals could be noted, 
and some trustworthy information, as to how they collect 
and secrete the water, obtained.” 
During the last thirty years I have had the opportunity 
of dissecting, I may say, hundreds of tortoises, and, upon 
opening the body, the commonest condition most fre- 
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