10 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



THE RED-BELLIED TERRAPIN. 



Emys rcbriventris. 

 PLATE VII. FIG. 14. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Emys serrata. Say, Acad. Nat. Sciences, Vol. 4, p. 208 (excl. syn.) Harlan, Ac. Sc. Vol. 4, p. 204. 

 Testudo mbriventris. Le Conte, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. Vol. 3, p. 101. Harlan, Med. and Phys. Res. p. 154. 

 E. irrigata. Bell, Gray's Synops. Rept. p. 29. 

 E. id. Dumeril et Bib. Hist. Nat. Rep. Vol. 2, p. 276. 

 E. nibrivenlris. Holbrook, N. Am. Herpetology, Vol. 2, p. 37, pi. 6; and Vol. 1, p. 55, pi. 6, of Ed. 2da. 



Characteristics. Very large. Shell oblong, gibbous, ecarinate. Intermediate plate linear, 

 often serrate. Shell wrinkled along the side. Jaws serrated. Beneath 

 red. Length 10-17 inches. 



Description. Shell oblong, elliptical, restricted, opposite to the abdominal plates, emarginate 

 behind ; the sides with longitudinal wrinkles, which extend over the posterior marginal plates. 

 The first vertebral plate obscurely six-sided, shorter than the others ; the three following, 

 oblong, the anterior margin of the first of these concave, the next nearly straight, the suc- 

 ceeding one convex, the lateral angles of all acutely pointed ; the posterior plate narrow in 

 front, its lateral margins wide, its posterior margins subdivided into four concave surfaces. 

 The lateral plates very large ; the posterior plate smallest, quadrate. Marginal plates twenty- 

 five ; the intermediate often serrate, the next slightly projecting ; the eighth, ninth, tenth and 

 eleventh also projecting at their external posterior angles. Sternum smooth, of twelve plates, 

 emarginate behind. Scapular plates projecting ; occasionally a small supplementary plate 

 between the external angle of this and the following pair. Pectorals narrow, and united to the 

 third, fourth and fifth marginal plate by an accessory plate. Abdominal pair large, and united 

 by a triangular accessory plate at its posterior margin, to the seventh and eighth marginal 

 pairs. Femoral plates project beyond the succeeding pair. Posterior angles of the caudal 

 pair rounded. Upper jaw emarginate, and receiving the middle tooth of the under jaw. 

 Legs and tail scaly, the former with robust claws. 



Color. Dusky, with reddish confluent spots, and broad reddish lines. Sternum often of a 

 uniform lake red ; the under side of the marginal plates of the same color, with large dusky 

 splashes or spots. Head dark brown or black, and with the throat striped with reddish or 

 yellow. Eyes yellow, witli a horizontal broad and black stripe through the middle. Legs 

 and tail dusky, spotted, and occasionally striped with red. 



This is one of the largest of the genus, and the neighborhood of the city of New-York 

 appears to be its extreme northern limit. I have never seen it in the western parts of the 

 State, and it appears to be unknown in Ohio. They are brought to our markets from New- 

 Jersey, where they are very numerous in running streams. As an article of food, they are 

 equally prized with the preceding. It is not found farther south than Virginia, and with its 

 western limits I am unacquainted. It may be well to note, that in cabinet specimens, its rich 

 coloring almost entirely disappears, and the brilliant red sternum is changed to a wax yellow. 

 Its history is yet incomplete. 



