World's Oldest Inhabitant.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7889, 3 August 1905, Page 3

World's Oldest Inhabitant.

The world's oldest inhabitant is said to be a giant tortoise, who spends his time near a stove in a naturalist's place at St. Louis. Toto is his name, ami we are told tnat he was grown when Columbus sailed. He was middle-aged and of family when the Puritans landed on Plymouth Rock. Wlten Jamestown was founded he had a city of his own. Age had begun to leaden his (acuities when Napoleon swept Europe. Toto may live to see Macaulay's New Zealander explore the ruins of London.

A mark was put on his shell early in the seventeenth century. He Iras carried the naked children of the Seucbeiles Islands ; lie has carried the midshipmen of the forgotten wooden friagtcs of Nelson's days. Perhaps Drake's hardy mariners rode Irim. The children ofi Hie World's; Fair were his last' riders. For centuries Toto has lived and wooed. Ti-gers have "token their talons on his. sharded back. Elephants Itavo vainly tried to crush him. Balls have glanced harmlessly from hisi shell. To-day lie huddles by the fire, flic one indestructible, undying animal of earth. Like the Indian and Yogi, he dozes and dreams, and only asks warmth and a bite to eat.

The deep indentations on Toto's shell determine age. It is certain that lie was full grown when Captain Cook sailed in the Pacific and gave his name to fame. Toto survived, and Will survive, perhaps, when all the merry tots who 'have ridden him die grey-hailed men and women.