EMYS TERRAPIN. 89 



but four only are furnished with nails. The tail is short, thick at the root, but 

 small and pointed at the tip, and covered above with a row of scales, which gives 

 it a sharp ridge. 



Colour. The colour of this annual varies a good deal, more perhaps than that 

 of any other Emys; generally speaking, it is dusky brown, though frequently it is 

 greenish, or dark olive colour. The margmal plates are all yellowish beneath, 

 each with a ring of dark grey colour; in the centre of this ring occurs frequently 

 a dark spot: sometimes we find two or three of these rings placed one within the 

 other, with intermediate yellow lines, and a yellow spot in the middle. 



The sternimi also varies in colour; it is generally yellowish, marked with con- 

 centric striae and dusky lines; seldom more than two on a plate, forming squares, 

 which are sometimes single, sometimes double, the inner line always following the 

 figure of the outer; at other times the sternum is entirely yellow. 



The crown of the head is sometimes very dark; sometimes greenish, or olive. 

 The jaws are horn colour, mottled with dark spots, or crossed by transverse dark 

 lines or bars. The side of the head, the neck, as well as the extremities, are 

 dusky or greenish-white, studded with innumerable black dots; these are some- 

 times so disposed as to give a marbled appearance to the skin. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 7^ inches; length of sternum, 7 inches 2 lines; 

 elevation, 2 inches 10 lines. 



Habits. The Emys terrapin lives in salt water and in salt marshes, where it 

 hibernates; far from these it is never seen. It is a timid animal, easily disturbed, 

 and hiding itself on the least alarm. It swims with great rapidity, and, unlike its 

 tribe in general, moves quickly even on land. 



Geographical Distribution. This is a widely extended animal, abounding in 

 marshy places, from Rhode Island, where they have been observed by Di-. Mauran, 

 Vol. I.— 12 



