EMYS INSCULPTA. 19 



has a general tinge of brick-dust colour. The jaws are horn colour; the chin 

 reddish-brown, with a transverse white line near the posterior extremity of the 

 lower jaw. 



The shell above is brown, marked with radiating yellow lines. The marginal 

 plates beneath are yellow, with each a black spot, and most commonly with 

 concentric dusky lines. The sternum is also yellow, with a very large black blotch 

 and concentric striae to each plate. The extremities, anterior and posterior, as 

 well as the tail, are reddish-brown above and brick-dust colour below. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 8 inches; breadth of shell, 5 inches; elevation, 2f 

 inches; length of sternum, 7 inches 5 lines; length of tail, 2^ inches. 



Habits. The Emys pulchella lives in ponds and rivers, and is, according to 

 Leconte, much more fond of leaving its natural element than any other aquatic 

 species, remaining even for months uninjured in dry places. The living individuals 

 that have fallen under my observation were all from New Jersey; they were very 

 lively and active, and moved rapidly either on land or water. They were very 

 restless, constantly in motion, and seemed disposed on all occasions to att.ick 

 their fellow prisoners, (E. serrata and E. terrapin.) 



Geographical Distribution. The geographical range of the Emys pulchella 

 is much more extended than was at first believed. It inhabits the Atlantic states 

 from Maine to Pennsylvania; the largest specimen I have ever seen was from the 

 former state, and is now in the Museum of the Boston Lyceum of Natural History. 



General Remarks. To Leconte is due the merit of having first accurately 

 described this animal, in his Monograph on the North American tortoises, under 

 the name Testudo insculpta. Dumeril and Bibron, however, give the credit to 

 Schweigger, and have consequently adopted his name of pulchella, excluding at 

 the same time the pulchella of Schoepf. Let us see how Schweigger's account 

 agrees with the animal now under consideration, and in what respect it differs 



