232 REPTILES

toises include a large number of species that can
live as well on land. The most aquatic of them are
the alligator terrapins of North America, which have
a long crested tail like a crocodile ; another remark-
able citizen of the United States is the box-tortoise,
who has his lower shell hinged, so that he can shut
himself up with a lid. There is one fresh-water

 

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THE MATAMATA

tortoise, Emmys orbicularts, found in Europe now as
far north as Berlin, which in the past used to live in
our fen-lands.

One species of this group, the bearded matamata
of South America, is about three feet in length,
and swims with its neck projecting, so as to strike
at anything that may come along, and he has