CHELONURA TEMMINCKII. J 51 



Habits. As far as is known, the habits of this animal are similar to those of 

 the Chelonura serpentina, found in the same waters, and living on similar food. 

 Troost observed in the intestines of one the remains of fish bones, fragments of 

 a large species of unio, &c. Troost kept a Chelonura Temminckii in confinement 

 for several weeks; it remained chiefly in the same place; only once or twice it 

 crossed the httle yard in which it was placed, and that was during a rain; if the 

 heat of the sun was intense, it retired to the shade of a tree, where it fixed its 

 residence, or sometimes it preferred the protection of the fence that surrounded 

 the yard. In this way several days were passed, without its moving more than 

 three or four feet, though frequently teazed by children. The flesh is much 

 esteemed as food, and is said to be not mferior in delicacy to the Green Turtle, 

 which, I think, is much to be doubted. 



Geographical Distribution. The Chelonura Temminckii inhabits the Missis- 

 sippi river and its tributary streams, as well as some of the rivers of Alabama 

 that open into the Gulf of Mexico. 



General Remarks. A good deal of obscurity has hitherto hung over the 

 history of this animal, which is now perfectly removed. Troost was luidoubtedly 

 the first person who distinguished it from the allied species, Chelonura serpentina, 

 and sent drawings and descriptions of it to some European naturalists; but they 

 never having seen the animal, supposed it to be only an overgrown specimen of 

 the Chelonura serpentina,* which indeed it does resemble in many respects; it is 

 found in the same localities west of the Alleghany mountains, and is known by the 

 same name, Snapping Turtle or Loggerhead; yet, on minute examination, there 

 will be observed diflerences enough to make it a distinct species, if not even to 

 place it in a new genus, as will be seen in the anatomical part of this Avork. 

 Troost has collated the following specific characters of each, which are constant, 

 whatever be the age of the animal, and he has seen them of all ages. 



* Vide Dumcril et Bibron, torn. ii. p. 349; also Temminck and Schlegel, in Seibold's 

 Japan, parlie Erpetologique, &c. 



