TURTLES. 



451 



mon l)t)X-tortoiso in size. Its vimiig lire jet Ithiek, aiui, tliough tlie ji;irents are elongate, 

 nearly circular in outline. Ji. lutaria is tlie European representative. 



The genus Cistudo includes the common box-tortoise, inhabiting the United 

 States east of the Mississipjn, and presenting more variety of form and coloration 

 than any other member of the family. It is in most localities quite abundant, and is 

 found in pastures and uplands, seeking its food of 'toad-stools' and 'mushrooms,' and 

 may at once be recognized, in that it is able, by means of the two lids of the plastron, 

 to completely enclose itself in its shell, and in having its upper jaw uii)irovided with 

 the anterior notch so characteristic of the previous form. Though the shell seldom 



Fig. liUO. — Ckcltjdra serpentina, suapping-turtlc. 



measures over seven inches in length, the animals live to a most remarkable age, 

 seemingly until put to some violent death. A venerable box-turtle was recently seen 

 which bore dates of the latter part of the last century, as well as successive dates of 

 the present. There have since been five generations in the family of the one who first 

 carved his name on the jilastron of this rcsjiccted resident. Unlike our other turtles, 

 this species, C. Carolina, has a ])artirular dislike for the water, and soon dies if placed in 

 it. The toes often vary in iiinnber with different individuals, those having only three 

 on the hind feet being not uncommon in tlii' more western and southern habitat. C. 

 ornatii, a form which always has the vertebral scales keeled, and is dejircssed and 

 rounded, inhabits the xalk'V of the up)iei- ^[ississippi ami the country lying south. 



