35 
TENTH ROOM. 
The upright Cases round the room contain the ge¬ 
neral collection of Reptiles in spirits. 
Case 1 contains the shielded Reptiles Cataphracta, 
which have the body covered with two shields, some¬ 
times formed of bones, and at others of bony plates 
imbedded in the skin; as the Tortoises ( Testudo , Lin.) 
and Crocodiles ( Crocodilus , Cuv.). 
The feet of the Tortoises differ in form according to 
the habits of the animals. Those which live on land 
(Testudo ) have club-shaped feet, and very solid, convex 
shells. Amongst these are the common Tortoise 
(' Testudo grczca), frequent in the north of Africa and 
the south of Europe ; and the Tabular Tortoise ( Test . 
tabulata), from the Brazils. These live chiefly on ve¬ 
getable substances, and bury themselves in the ground 
during the winter. Their eggs, some of which are ex¬ 
hibited, are of a globular form. The American sailors 
often use these animals as food ; they are found in 
great abundance in the Gallipagos. 
Those Tortoises which live in water have more de¬ 
pressed shells than the Land Tortoises, and the feet 
expanded and webbed between the toes, which are fur¬ 
nished with sharp-claws. They have been divided into 
three groups. 1st. The Terrapins ( Emys ), which have 
twelve horny plates on the chest bone or sternum, and 
withdraw the head and neck between the shells; 
as the Dhor Terrapin ( Emys dhor), from India; 
the Banded Terrapin ( Emys vittata), and Lake Erie 
Terrapin ( Emys Lesueurii), from America. These are 
much used as food by the Americans. Amongst these 
is a monstrosity with two heads. 
2d. The Chelys ( Chelys), which have an additional 
horny plate on the front of the chest bones, and bend 
the neck back under the side margin of the shell; as 
the Radiated Chelys ( Hydraspis radiolata ). 
d 2 The 
KQOM X 
Nat. Hist. 
