37 
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 grceca), 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. Some of the American 
sailors use these animals extensively as food, they 
being found in great abundance in the Gallipagos. 
Those Tortoises which live in water have more de¬ 
pressed shells than the Land Tortoises, and their feet 
expanded and webbed between the toes, which are fur¬ 
nished with sharp claws. They have been divided into 
three groups. 1st. The Terrapin ( Emys ), which have 
twelve horny plates on the chest bone or sternum, and 
which withdraw their 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 extensively 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 which 
bend the neck back under the side margin of the shell, 
as the Radiated Chelys {Hydraspis radiolata ). 
The third kind of fresh-water Tortoises ( Trionyx ■), 
are peculiar for the shell being covered with a naked 
skin, and for only three toes of each foot being pro¬ 
vided with claws. They, like all the other fresh¬ 
water Tortoises, are strictly carnivorous, and eat their 
food in the water. Many large specimens of this 
genus are found in the East Indies, and are constantly 
seen devouring the human bodies floating down the 
Ganges*. 
ROOM X. 
Nat. Hist. 
