EMYSRUBRIVENTRIS. 39 



and irregular bands or lines of red; each marginal plate has a line of the same 

 colour passing vertically through it. 



The sternum is red, generally clouded with a dusky shade. The inferior sur- 

 face of the marginal plates is also red, with dusky spots running into one, at the 

 junction of the plates. The wings are sometimes barred with black. 



The head and neck are dark brown above, with obscure red lines; the jaws are 

 horn colour, with a red line beginning below the nostrils, and running through the 

 upper to the lower jaw; two others begin at the back of the orbit of the eye — one 

 extends to the neck above the tympanum, the other passes beneath it. The 

 throat is dark, marked with large bands of red; one of these begins midway 

 between the chin and the articulation of the jaw; another begins at the chin, but 

 soon bifurcates; and between this bifurcation is a third and shorter line. 



The anterior extremities are dusky brown, with two reddish lines on the supe- 

 rior surface, these lines are in some individuals yellow; the inferior surface is 

 dusky, with similar red or yellow lines. The posterior extremities are dusky, with 

 interrupted lines of red or yellow; the webs are tinged with red both on the upper 

 and lower surface. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 11 inches; greatest breadth, 7 inches; length of 

 sternum, 10^ inches; greatest elevation, 4| inches; length of tail, 2 inches. 



Habits. The Emys rubriventris inhabits streams and rivers of running waters, 

 generally preferring those with rocky beds. 



Geographical Distribution. Its geographical range is very limited; as yet it 

 has not been found north of the Delaware river, nor south of the Chesapeake Bay. 

 It is common in the Susquehanna and its tributaries, but is much more abundant 

 in the Delaware, especially in the neighbourhood of Trenton. It is frequently 



