520 Beptiles. 
§ IV. Chelonian Reptiles. 
THE COMMON, OK GKEEK TOETOISE. 
(Testudo Grceca.) 
This animal has a small head, four feet, and a tail, which 
it can gather within the shell in such a way that the 
top and under part meet together, and so closely, that 
the greatest strength cannot separate them. The eye is 
destitute of an upper lid, the under one serving to de- 
fend that organ. The upper shell, composed of thirty- 
seven compartments, is convex, and so strong, that a 
loaded cart can pass over it without injuring the crea- 
ture inside. In winter, Tortoises are said to bury them- 
selves in the ground, or retire to some cavern or hole, 
which the}^ 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. 
