--the lower jaw
furnished with a sort of hook. The sides of the head are white,
sprinkled with black spots.

THE BOX TORTOISE.

The peculiarity of this creature is that it can draw its head within its
shell, so that, as few creatures would wish to swallow such a morsel
whole, it has no enemy except man to fear. It might, to be sure, run
the risk of being carried off by an eagle and let drop on a hard rock,
if the savage king of birds ever does perform such a feat; but though
stories are frequently told of his doing so, their truth is greatly
doubted.

The box tortoise lives on shore among the pine-forest lands, away from
water, to which it seems to have an especial dislike. It is frequently
called, therefore, the pine terrapin. It is one of the smallest of its
tribe--being little more than six inches long--and varies very greatly
in its colour. Its head is remarkable for having a somewhat broad hook
at the end of the upper jaw--the lower jaw being slightly hooked.

THE MUD TORTOISE.

The mud tortoise is smaller than the box, being scarcely four inches in
length. It can, however, move with considerable speed, and is seen
floundering about in the ponds and muddy places, where it searches for
aquatic insects, and sometimes even fish, on which it lives. It also
vexes the angler by taking hold of his hook, and remaining so quietly
sucking in the bait, that only when he hauls it up, and the tortoise
begins to pull and kick violently about, does he discover his mistake.

It is remarkable for exuding a strong musky odour, from which
circumstance it has obtained the name of "stink-pot."

THE ALLIGATOR TERRAPIN.

This giant of its tribe, from the great likeness it bears to the
alligator, has appropriately been called after the huge saurian. It has
a large head covered with a hard wrinkled skin, and a long thick neck,
over which are scattered a number of projecting tubercles. On the shell
of the adult animal there is a depression along the centre, which leaves
a sort of keel on each side of the central line.

The creature is exceedingly voracious, feeding on fish, reptiles, or any
animal substance. It generally inhabits stagnant pools or sluggish
streams, living mostly at the bottom. Occasionally, however, it rises
to the surface, and elevating the tip of its pointed snout above the
water, floats along with the current. Sometimes, indeed, it lands, and
makes its way to some distance from the river; but its m