The sow was a military engine, resembling the Roman testudo.
"Minstrelsy of the Scottish border (3rd ed) (1 of 3)"
Walter Scott
Much time was thus wasted until the soldiers of the Seventh Legion, having formed a testudo and thrown up a rampart against the British fort, took it, and drove the Britons out of the woods, receiving in return a few, though only a few, wounds.
"England of My Heart--Spring"
Edward Hutton
The turtles are referred to the genus testudo, but have some affinity to Emys.
"The Student's Elements of Geology"
Sir Charles Lyell