62 EMYS RETICULATA. 



numerous small longitudinal yellow lines. These lines vary in extent; some reach 

 the whole length of the neck; others are intermediate, less distinct, and shorter; 

 a remarkable one begins at the snout and runs between the eyes, terminating at 

 the occiput; another and still larger begins at the snout, below the nostrils, 

 descends to the angle of the mouth, increasing in size to the neck; other lines 

 are also seen to begin at the back of the eyes and run along the neck; a distinct 

 line begins above the orbit and runs to the tympanum. The jaws are horn- 

 colour, marked with yellow lines that traverse them obliquely. The throat is 

 dusky yellow, with three longitudinal lines of brighter yellow and waving lines of 

 a dingy brown. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 9^ inches; breadth, 5^ inches; length of sternum, 

 8 inches 10 lines. The head and neck, taken together, are nearly as long as the 

 sternum. 



Habits. The habits of the Emys reticulata are very similar to those of the 

 Emys serrata. They inhabit ponds and stagnant waters, where they may be 

 seen slowly swimming from place to place; and as the head and neck alone are 

 visible, they might easily be mistaken for the water-snake, which belongs to the 

 same locality; or they may be observed in great numbers basking on the trunk of 

 some fallen tree, from whence they plunge into the water on the slightest alarm — 

 the noise of the splash of one disturbs his neighbours, who all rapidly disappear. 

 Being of so timid a nature, taking them is a work of some difficulty; they are, 

 however, frequently brought to our markets, where they are more prized than the 

 Emys serrata. 



Geographical Distribution. The Emys reticulata has a range of small extent. 

 Leconte gives Fayetteville, North Carolina, as its northern limit, and I would 

 assign Georgia as its southern, as I have no evidence of its existence in Florida; 

 nor do they ever appear at any great distance from the seaboard. 



General Remarks. There can be no doubt that Bosc first observed this 



