FAMILY CHELONID^E. 7 



The Soft-shelled Tortoise was not generally known as an inhabitant of New-York, until 

 after the completion of the Erie canal, connecting the Great Lakes with the Ocean. Pre- 

 vious to that period, it was supposed to belong exclusively to the southern and western waters. 

 The description given above was taken several years since, from a specimen obtained in the 

 Mohawk river. Subsequently, several individuals, as I understand, have been taken from the 

 Hudson river near Albany. The specimen, as I then thought, varied so much from any 

 description of the ferox within my reach, that I considered it to be new, and named it ocel- 

 latus. An examination of many specimens, both of ferox and muticus, (which I suspect to 

 be identical,) since that period, together with a recent reexamination of the specimens in the 

 Cabinet of the Lyceum, satisfies me that my ocellatus was nothing but the young of the ferox, 

 the premiere variete of Lesueur (Op. sup. cit. p. 261). It is, however, so peculiar, that I 

 deemed it worthy of being drawn. The color of the adult is of a uniform dusky brown, 

 occasionally with a few obsolete darker spots. 



I am not acquainted with any other locality in this State, though I have heard of their being 

 taken in Chautauque and Cayuga lakes. I have been assured by persons in Cattaraugus 

 county, that they have been taken in the Allegany river, a tributary of the Ohio. Major 

 Le Conte informs me that they are abundant both in Lake Ontario and Erie. Dr. Kirtland 

 mentions this species as very abundant in all the streams both of the Ohio and Lake Erie. 

 In calm weather, during summer, he observes, great numbers may be seen floating near the 

 surface of the water. At such times, they were closely followed by several of the black bass 

 (C. ohioensis); but he could not ascertain what attracted this usually coy fish about them. 



It is much esteemed as a wholesome and nutritious article of food. They are said to feed 

 on fish, and the smaller aquatic reptiles. The statements regarding their ferocity, which has 

 given them their specific name, appear to vary. According to Mr. Speakman cited by Say, 

 it is only the young who attempt to bite ; and Major Le Conte observes, that they are not 

 more inclined to bite than any other species. Dr. Eights, on the other hand, asserts that he 

 saw " a large one from Cayuga lake dart out its head ferociously at a dog which had been 

 " purposely brought near, and take from its side a mouthful of hair in the attempt." They 

 are chiefly taken with a hook baited with flesh, and sometimes speared. When they show 

 themselves above water, they are killed by the rifle. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



T. muticus. (Les. Mem. Mus. Vol. 15, pi. 7. Holb. Vol. 2, pi. 3.) Shell elliptical, confounded 

 with the neck, not tuberculated or spinous in front. Sternal callosities four ; the two hinder large, 

 united. Length 7 to 8 inches. Ohio River. 



T. bartrami. (Le Conte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 3, p. 96.) Head and neck furnished with retractile tuber- 

 culated appendages. East Florida. 



T. harlani. (Bell, Monog.) Body more ventricose, and the soft portions of the shell less extensive 

 than in the other species. East Florida. 



