EMYS INSCULPTA. 95 



Colour. 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 head is dusky brown, lighter below, and speckled with red, or has a 

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

 brown, with a transverse white hne near the posterior extremity of the lower jaw. 



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, 2| 

 inches; length of sternum, 7 inches 5 Imes; length of tail, 2i inches. 



Habits. The Emys insculpta 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. This it does, 

 according to Haldeman, to rid itself of a parasitic animal, (Clepsina scabra,) by 

 which it is infested when in water. 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 attack their fellow prisoners, 

 (Emys serrata and Emys terrapin.) 



Geographical Distribution. The geographical range of the Emys insculpta is 

 much more extended than was at first beheved. 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 



