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cause, (and it proceeds, most probably, from the coldness of our atmosphere,) we should not forget to thank Him, by whose goodness we can walk through our fields, without fearing injury from those deadly animals, which are found in the hottest parts of the earth. In the Appendix will be found a brief account of Worms, Corals, and Sponges, the next classes which occur as we descend, in the history of Animals. Their structure becomes gradually more simple, and their powers fewer; but it is well deserving of observation, how admirably Almighty Wisdom has fitted each to its allotted station.

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HISTORY

OF

REPTILES.

THE COMMON TORTOISE.

THE common Tortoise rarely exceeds eight inches in length, and seldom weighs more than three pounds. Its shell is composed, (as in all the varieties of this animal) of thirteen middle pieces, and about twenty-five marginal ones. The legs are short, and the feet covered with strong scales, and armed with four strong claws. The tail is rather shorter than the legs and covered with small scales, which end with a hard pointed tip. Thus we see the Tortoise has an advantage, which most other animals have not. From the moment of its breaking the

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shell, it has a solid and durable house, strong enough to resist its enemies, and yet not fixed to one spot. It carries every where the dwelling which nature has furnished for its defence, and under it, can dwell in perfect security.

This species resides principally in burrows that it forms in the ground. In these, it sleeps away the greatest part of its time, appearing abroad only for a few hours in the middle of each day. It feeds on various kinds of herbs, fruit, worms, snails, and insects. Its manners are exceedingly gentle and peaceable; hence it is easily domesticated, and is an agreeable object in gardens, where it destroys noxious slugs and insects. In defect of its usual food, it may be supplied with, and will live sufficiently well on, bran or meal.

In the autumn, it retires to some hiding place under the surface of the earth, where it remains in a state of torpor for four or five months, not again making its appearance abroad, until recalled into life by the warmth of the sun in spring.

-About the beginning of June, the female, when in her native state, scratches a hole in some warm situation, where she deposits four or five eggs. These are hatched in September; and the young ones when they first come into the world, are not bigger than a walnut.

This small species, which is sometimes met in a domesticated state, often arrives at a great age, even beyond the period of a century. One

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