12 TRIONYXFEROX. 



marked with waving red lines, caused by the blood-vessels being seen through 

 the transparent skin. 



The extremities are umber coloured above, the webs tinged with green; below 

 they are white, tinged with green, which latter colour prevails at the webs. 



Dimensions. The length of shell in the animal here represented was 16 inches; 

 breadth, 12 inches; length of sternum, lOA inches; length of head, 2t inches; 

 breadth, 2 inches; elevation of the animal, 3 inches. They sometimes are found 

 of much greater dimensions. 



to' 



Habits. The Trionyx ferox, in its native state, is a voracious animal, feeding 

 on fish, or such reptiles as it can secure, and is so greedy that it takes the hook 

 readily when baited with animal substance; yet in confinement, even of several 

 months duration, I have never seen it take sustenance of any kind, though it was 

 offered a variety of food. In the more southern rivers the Soft-shelled Turtle 

 is said to destroy great numbers of young Alligators, and in turn are devoured 

 by the old. They reside most constantly in the water, swim with rapidity, and 

 choose for their retreats holes under the banks of rivers, or under rocks, and 

 not unfrequently the trunk of some huge forest tree fallen into the stream 

 affords them shelter. Sometimes they leave the water and conceal themselves 

 in the mud; I have frequently seen them thus buried to the depth of two or three 

 inches, leaving only a small breathing hole for the long neck, and narrow head, 

 which it occasionally thrusts out, but most commonly has it retracted so that one 

 would pass near without observing its habitation; and if seen, it might easily be 

 mistaken for the residence of some large insect. At other times they may be 

 seen in numbers on rocks in shallow water, basking in the sun, apparently asleep. 

 In these situations. Dr. Geddings informs me, many are taken, by erecting a 

 slight fence at some distance around them, or by placing other obstructions 

 between them and deep water, to cut oft' their retreat. 



The Trionyx ferox bites severely when provoked, darting forward with great 



