EMYS HOBILENSIS. 55 



lines of the same colour; below these is frequently a black bar; the supplemental 

 plates are also marked by a black blotch. 



The head is dusky brown above, marked with longitudinal yellow lines; one 

 begins at the snout, and runs along the crown of the head to the occiput; 

 smaller lines run on each side of this; another line begins at the superior and 

 inferior border of the orbit; this increases till it becomes a band, and runs along 

 the neck; two other lines come from the orbit, one runs to the neck, above, the 

 other below the tympanum, where it is continuous with a large line that comes 

 from the lower jaw. The throat is ash colour, marked with three broad yellow 

 lines; one begins at the chin, and soon bifurcates; in this bifurcation is included 

 the third line. 



The anterior extremities are dusky in front, with longitudinal yellow lines; the 

 margins of the web are yellow; the posterior surface is marked with blotches and 

 bands of yellow. The posterior extremities are dark in front, with longitudinal 

 lines of yellow; on the inferior surface the yellow colour prevails over the dusky. 

 The tail is dusky with longitudinal yellow stripes. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 15 inches; greatest breadth, 9| inches; length of 

 sternum, 14j inches; greatest elevation, 6 inches. 



Habits. I have had no opportunity of observing the habits of this animal; 

 but from the shape and form of the extremities, it would seem to be eminently 

 aquatic. 



Geographical Distribution. As yet, Alabama is the only state in which this 

 animal has been found; it doubtless inhabits many others. It is numerous in the 

 neighbourhood of Mobile, where it is greatly esteemed as an article of food. 



General Remarks. This is another fine species of Emys, being next to the 

 Emys floridana in size, and which in fact it almost equals. Leconte informs me 



