THE FIERCE TRIONYX, OR SNAPPING TURTLE. 



19 



The shell of the Matamata is rather convex, broader before than behind, and rather flat- 

 tened in the middle of the back. The shields are elevated, rather sharp at their tips, and are 

 arranged so as to form three regular keels along the back. 



A NEARLY allied species of river Tortoise is figured on page 18. It is the NEW HOLLAND 

 CHELODINE, sometimes called the YELLOW CHELODINE, from the olive-yellow color of the 

 plastron. 



This remarkable reptile may almost deserve the name of the Snake Tortoise, its long, 

 flexible neck, and flat, narrow, and pointed head, having a very serpentine aspect. As its name 

 imports, it is an inhabitant of Australia, and is found most commonly in New Holland. It is 

 a water-loving creature, not caring much for rivers and running streams, but haunting the 

 pools, marshes, and stagnant waters, where it lives in the midst of abundance, finding ample 

 food among the fishes and aquatic reptiles which generally swarm in such localities. It is an 

 active animal, traversing the water with considerable speed, and capturing its prey by means 

 of its sharp jaws. 



The gape is very large, and the jaws are comparatively slender. The shell is broad, rather 

 flattened, and the shields are thin and smooth, not being elevated as in the preceding species. 

 The general color of the shell is brown above and yellow below, each shield having a black line 

 round its edge. 



WE now arrive at another family of the Tortoises, known popularly as Soft Turtles a 

 rather inaccurate title, inasmuch as they are not turtles, but Tortoises and scientifically as 

 TrionycidcB. The latter title is of Greek origin, signifying three-clawed, in allusion to the 

 fact that, although the species belonging to the family have five toes on each foot, only the 

 three inner toes of each foot are armed with claws. 



These Tortoises, represented in the accompanying oleograph, are rather interesting to the 

 careful observer, because the peculiar structure of the external covering permits the formation 

 of the skeleton to be seen without the necessity for separating the shells. In particular, the 

 method in which the breast-bone is developed into the broad, flattened plate which forms the 

 plastron, can clearly be seen through the skin, and even the position of the sutures can be 

 made out without much difficulty. 



The head of these creatures is rather oval and flattened, the jaws are horny, but covered 

 with hanging, fleshy lips, and the mouth is lengthened into a cylindrical trunk. The neck is 

 long, and can be contracted, the feet are short, very wide, and the toes are connected together 

 by strong webs. They all live in warm climates, and are found in rivers and lakes. 



The typical species is the celebrated FIERCE TRIONYX, or SNAPPING TURTLE, a reptile 

 which derives its former title from the exceeding ferocity of its disposition, and the latter from 

 the method in which it secures its prey or attacks its foes. It is found spread over many 

 parts of North America. 



This tierce and determined marauder of the waters is even more formidable than the two 

 previous species, and not only causes terror among the smaller creatures which inhabit the 

 same localities, but is even dreaded by man, whose limbs have often been severely wounded by 

 the bite of these ferocious reptiles. Like the aquatic Tortoises, it is carnivorous in its habits, 

 and is terribly destructive among the fish, smaller quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles. Lurking 

 on the banks, it snatches away many an unfortunate animal as it comes to drink, or seizes the 

 water-fowl that have ventured too close to their terrible neighbor. So fiercely carnivorous is 

 this Tortoise, and so voracious is its appetite, that it will even catch young alligators, and 

 devour them in spite of their teeth and struggles. 



The flesh of this species is very delicate, tender, and richly flavored, so that it often meets 

 the doom which it has inflicted on so many other animals. As it is so voracious, it will take 

 almost any kind of bait, provided that it be composed of animal substance, but it prefers fish, 

 and cannot resist a hook so baited. 



Its captor's work, however, is not confined to hooking and drawing it ashore, as the Snap- 

 ping Turtle, when it finds itself with a hook firmly fixed in its jaws, and itself being irresistibly 



