dered modern authors cautious in quoting him upon such points. Lacepede
however, not having the advantage of the more modern discoveries in this
important department of natural science, has adopted the error; but, having
ascertained that specimens of the same animal had been brought from the new
world, he assigns to it the two incompatible habitats of the East Indies , and
Carolina. The truth: is, that it is not only an American species, but in a great
measure exclusively an American form.
Notwithstanding the repeated notices which have appeared of the young
state of this tortoise, and the numerous figures which have been given of it—
three of which however, those of Seba, of Lacepede, and of Spix, can alone be
considered as original,—its adult condition has never before been; represented.
The present Plates are taken from the smaller of two specimens which I had
alive, and which I received from Tropical America. The markings on the;
head are here represented, as they exist in the living animal, of a bright red
colour; but soon after death they become paler, and gradually fade to a.
yellowish white.
Upon the whole I feel satisfied that the list of synonyms which I have given
of this species is correct. I have thought it safe to append a note of interrogation
to the quotation from Linnaeus; and it would be difficult to quote a single
instance in the whole of his genus Testudo, in which his characters/could he
considered distinctive. Seba’s figure is also alittle doubtfiil; but that of Lac6-
pMe is conclusive, as even the peculiar markings on the head are distinctly
to be traced. His description is so imperfect, that were it not for the figure,
it would be impossible to tell to what species it was intended to refer.
Lake all other fluviatile species, this tortoise is carnivorous, feeding on frogs,
fish, and any other small animals. The two which I had in my possession fed
freely on small pieces of raw meat, but never showed the slightest disposition
to bite or snap when teased, differing in this respect from Emys decussata,
E. serrata, and other large American species of the genus. The egg is of a
very peculiar form, being a long oval. That from which the figure is taken
was found, after death, in the oviduct of the larger of the two specimens
mentioned above.