190. The GANNET (_Pelecanus bassanus_, Fig. 51) is a species of pelecan so numerous, and, at the same time, so important to the inhabitants of some parts of Scotland, that, in the island of St. Kilda only, more than 20,000 are said to be annually killed by the inhabitants as food. The young birds, however, alone are eatable; and, to obtain these and the eggs, the bird-catchers undergo the greatest risks. They not only climb the rocks, but even allow themselves to be lowered from the top of the most dangerous precipices, by ropes, to the ledges on which the nests are placed. As gannets and their eggs are a principal support of the inhabitants of St. Kilda throughout the year, they are preserved, for this purpose, in a frozen state, in small pyramidal stone buildings covered with turf and ashes. ---- CLASS III.--AMPHIBIA. ---- ORDER I.--REPTILES. 191. _The GREEK TORTOISE_ (Testudo græca) _is a species of reptile of dirty yellow and black colour; with four feet, and a somewhat hemispherical shell, consisting of thirteen middle convex pieces, and about twenty-five marginal ones._ _These animals are about eight inches long, and three or four pounds in weight. They are found in woods of many of the countries of the Continent, and in most of the islands of the Mediterranean._ In nearly all countries where these tortoises abound they are considered valuable as food; and are cooked in various ways, but are chiefly used for soup. By some people the _blood_ is eaten without any culinary preparation. Each tortoise towards the end of June lays, in the sand, from thirty to forty _eggs_, of round shape, and about the size of those of a pigeon. These eggs, when boiled, are in particular esteem for the table. In some parts of Italy it is customary to collect and bury them in places dug in the earth; and when the young ones appear, they are fed and taken care of until they are in a fit state to be killed for the table. In their habits the animals are mild and peaceable; and, being furnished with a house which they continually carry about with them, and into which they can, in an instant, withdraw their head, legs, and tail, they have no danger to fear from their enemies. So great is the strength of their shell that instances have occurred of their having been run over, even by waggons, without injury. Tortoises have been known to live to the age of more than 100 years. 192. Several other kinds of tortoises serve for food as well as the present; particularly the _ROUND TORTOISE (Testudo orbicularis)_, which is in great request for the tables of the opulent inhabitants of Germany and Hungary. 193. _The HAWK'S-BILL TURTLE_ (Testudo imbricata, Fig. 53) _is a marine species of tortoise, of yellowish and brown colour, which has fin-shaped feet each with two claws, thirteen plates in the middle of the shell, and twenty-one round the margin, lying somewhat loosely over each other at the edges._