14 TRIONYX FEROX. 



with black, which in young individuals is bright, and continued towards the 

 snout, but becomes more and more obscure as the animal increases in age. 



The extremities are umber coloured above, the webs tinged with green; below 

 they are white, tinged with green, which latter colour prevails at the webs. 



Dimensions. The length of shell in the animal here represented was 16 inches; 

 breadth, 12 inches; length of sternum, lOj inches; length of head, 21 inches; 

 breadth, 2 inches; elevation of the animal, 3 inches. They sometimes are found 

 of much greater dimensions. 



Habits. The Trionyx ferox, in the native state, is a voracious animal, feeding 

 on fish, or such reptiles as he can secure, and is so greedy that he takes the hook 

 readily when baited with whatever anmial substance; yet in confinement, even of 

 several months duration, I have never seen one take sustenance of any kind, 

 though offered a variety of food. In the more southern rivers the Soft-shelled 

 Turtle is said to destroy great numbers of young Alligators, and in turn they are 

 devoured by the old. They reside most constantly in the water, swim with 

 rapidity, and choose for their retreats holes under the banks of rivers, or under 

 rocks; and not unfrequently the trunk of some huge forest tree, fallen into the 

 stream, affords them shelter. Sometimes they leave the water and conceal them- 

 selves in the mud; I have frequently seen them thus buried to the depth of two or 

 three inches, leaving only a small breathing hole for the long neck, and narrow 

 head, which it occasionally thrusts out, but most commonly has it retracted so 

 that one would pass near without observing its habitation; and if seen, it might 

 easily be mistaken for the residence of some large insect. At other times they 

 may be seen in numbers on rocks in shallow water, basking in the sun, apparently 

 asleep. In these situations, Dr. Geddings informs me, many are taken, by 

 erecting a slight fence at some distance around them, or by placing other obstruc- 

 tions between them and deep water, to cut oflf their retreat. 



The Trionyx ferox bites severely when provoked, darting forward with great 



