432 A DESCRIPTION OP 
ture inside. In winter Tortoises are said to bury them- 
selves in the ground, or retire to some cavern or hole, 
which they line with moss, grass, and leaves, and where 
they pass in safe and solitary retirement the whole of this 
season. The Tortoise is very tenacious of life, and is 
no less remarkable for its longevity, as it is ascertained 
that one lived upwards of one hundred and twenty years 
in the garden of Lambeth Palace. 
This animal is found in most of the countries near the 
Mediterranean Sea, in Corsica, Sardinia, and some of the 
islands of the Archipelago, as well as in many parts of 
the north of Africa. 
The Tortoise-shell which is produced by this animal, 
as well as by the hawk's-bill turtle, is employed in several 
articles of useful and ornamental utensils, and when of a 
good colour, sells at a considerable price. 
