SNAIL n.
A tortoise; in ancient warfare, a movable roof or shed to protect besiegers; a testudo. [Obs.] They had also all manner of gynes [engines] . . . that needful is [in] taking or sieging of castle or of city, as snails, that was naught else but hollow pavises and targets, under the which men, when they fought, were heled…
TORTOISE n.
Same as Testudo, 2. Box tortoise, Land tortoise, etc. See under Box, Land, etc. -- Painted tortoise. (Zoöl.) See Painted turtle, under Painted. -- Soft-shell tortoise. (Zoöl.) See Trionyx. -- Spotted tortoise. (Zoöl.) A small American fresh-water tortoise (Chelopus, or Nanemys, quttatus) having a blackish carapace o…