The Gopher Tortoises, (_Testudo carolina_), are large, thick-shelled, clumsy creatures, which burrow in holes in the sandy southern regions where they live. Once they were common in southern Florida, but their edibility has resulted in a great decrease in their abundance. The South American Tortoise, (_Testudo tabulata_), is a good representative of the smaller tortoises from various parts of the world. It is common throughout tropical South America and attains a maximum length of shell of about 14 inches. The shell is elongated and blackish, each of the shields having a yellowish center. Like all of the tortoises, this is a herbivorous reptile. The Marine Turtles.—At the New York Aquarium, situated in Battery Park, and managed by the New York Zoological Society, will be found a fine collection of such large sea-turtles as the Loggerhead, Green Turtle and Hawksbill, which require salt water. The Soft-Shelled Turtle, (_Aspidonectes ferox_).—As to living relatives, this strange genus seems apropos of nothing. Like some of the marine turtles its shell is greatly reduced in weight, so that it can float more readily; instead of being solid bone, it terminates in a wide, thin edge of cartilage, which is so soft that when properly boiled it constitutes palatable food. THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS. The Order of Crocodilians.—This important Order, the members of which are widely distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of the world, contains nineteen species. At this point it is well to correct certain very general misapprehensions regarding crocodilians. Crocodiles are _not_ confined to the Old World; at least three species being found abundantly in tropical America. The “movement” of a crocodile’s jaw differs in no manner whatever from that of an alligator. Only a few species of crocodiles are dangerous to man. There is no authentic record of the loss of a human life through our common alligator. The Alligator genus embraces the American Alligator, (_A. mississippiensis_), of the southern United States and a small species found in China! The head of the Alligator is very flat and its sides are nearly parallel, while the head of a typical crocodile is nearly triangular. The American Alligator is well represented in the Pool in the Reptile House, by several lusty specimens, all of which eat voraciously, are growing rapidly, and undoubtedly enjoying life. The largest specimen, a burly monster over twelve feet in length, has grown nearly five feet in length since its arrival here in 1899. In summer, the Alligator Pool on the hill, southeast of the Reptile House, is well stocked with alligators of various sizes, and it is there that visitors can secure most realistic impressions of the appearance of this species in a state of nature, and in abundant numbers. [Illustration: ALLIGATOR POOL.]