26 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



num bivalve, of twelve plates, fall and rounded in front, deeply emarginate behind, and when 

 closed entirely conceal the animal. Head moderate. Nostrils anterior, contiguous. Eyes 

 large, prominent. Upper jaw broad, with its cutting edge sharp, and deeply emarginate in 

 front. Lower jaw with a small hook. Neck long, and slightly contracted behind the head. 

 Fore legs robust, with imbricated scales in front, and smaller ones behind. Toes palmated, 

 with five short curved claws. Hind legs covered with small scales and granulations, and fur- 

 nished with five palmated toes, the posterior clawless. 



Color. Shell jet black, marked with numerous oblong and round yellow spots. Sternum 

 dusky yellow ; each plate with a large quadrangular dark blotch at its outer posterior angle. 

 Head black, with oblong yellow spots. Lower jaw and chin bright yellow. Throat yellow, 

 but clouded with dusky. Fore legs olive yellow in front ; dusky, with yellow spots behind. 

 Hind legs dusky above, and soiled yellowish behind. Tail black above, with two obscure 

 yellowish lines ; dusky beneath. 



Length of shell, 7-0-8-0. 



This species, which has been hitherto doubtless taken for a mere variety of the C. Carolina, 

 was first accurately described and figured by Dr. Holbrook in the work cited above. It was 

 obtained by him from the prairies of Illinois and Wisconsin, and for some time this was the 

 only locality. More recently it has been detected by Dr. Storer as far north as Haverhill, 

 New-Hampshire, in 44° north latitude. It ranges unquestionably through all the northern 

 and middle States ; and hence, although not yet actually observed, must necessarily be 

 included in our list of the Reptiles of New- York. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



Genus Testudo, Brongniart. Shell solid. Sternum solid, immovable. Extremities short, thick and 



clavate. Toes short, and closely connected as far as the nails. 

 T. Carolina. (Holbrook, Herp. pi. 1.) Shell very convex, depressed above ; the last two marginal 



plates united ; scapular plates projecting forward in a spade-like process. Tail very short. Length 



12 inches. Georgia, Florida. 



