Testudo

Thankyou, I do indeed know the difference between tortoises and turtles. In the past I have been accused of ignorance in this matter, but that is explained by the fact that in Latin both creatures are given the name TESTUDO.

In fact, I have distinguished between 4 different types of tortoises, or turtles; those living on the land, those living in the sea, those who live in swamps and mud, and those who live in rivers. Furthermore I have listed the medicinal properties of them all. For example, the flesh of the land tortoise is useful for countering magic and poisons. The flesh of the sea tortoise mixed with that of frogs is an excellent remedy for injuries caused by the salamander.

I was amused to see that the volunteers scraping the tube worms from the tortoise shells were all ladies. It is to be hoped they were aware that the scrapings from the shells of the tortoise if taken in a drink are reputed to have an anti-aphrodisiac effect.

Wondrous to relate, but so we are led to believe by the testament of others.