THE REPTILES OF OHIO 145 



layers of eggs are deposited in the flask-like expansion but the last two or three eggs 

 are placed in the narrow neck, the uppermost egg being sometimes only about two 

 inches from the surface. 



It is difficult to frighten them away after they have once decided upon a nesting 

 place. When surprised they stop work but soon resume it and continue it to the end, 

 even while the observer is in plain view. The nest of Graptemys is a finished product, 

 all traces of nest-making being obliterated. This is accomplished by dragging the 

 smooth plastron back and forth across the small area that had been disturbed by 

 nestmg. 



The eggs are ellipsoidal in shape, of a dull white color, and have a rather soft, 

 easily indented shell. The number laid by one female at one time varies from eleven 

 to fourteen. 



The eggs hatch, as a rule, late in August or early in September, the young burrow- 

 ing to the surface through the sand. When they emerge they are covered with sand 

 that adheres fdr some time. Their instinct directs them unerringly toward the water 

 and they frequently have to travel almost incredible distances before reaching the 

 lake or tributary stream. On two occasions I have found recently hatched Graptemys, 

 at a distance of about a quartet of a mile from the water, traveling steadily and in 

 an approximately correct direction toward the lake. At the observed rate of progress 

 they would reach the lake in about two days. 



For some time I was greatly puzzled by the frequent discovery of newly hatched 

 Graptemys during the months of May and June. Farmers in the vicinity frequently 

 plowed up nests of eggs that were nearly ready to hatch. 



These facts have been explained by the observation of occasional specimens nesting 

 during the latter part of July. Eggs laid at that time would have only about five or 

 six weeks of steadily warm weather, in which to develop, and would be retarded by 

 the chilling of the ground in October. Thus the well advanced embryos must pass 

 the winter in a condition of dormancy analogous to that observed in hibernating adults. 



On no occasion have I caught a female nesting whose carapace length was less 

 than nineteen centimeters and whose age was less than fourteen years — according to 

 the age record afforded by the annual growth ring on the scutes. 



Cahn (1937, 111) says: 



The number of eggs deposited varies from fen to sixteen, depending upon the size 

 and age of the turtle, with twelve to fourteen by far the commonest number. They are 

 white and elliptical, with a soft, leathery shell which may be very easily indented. 

 They average 32 mm. by 21 mm. 



Chrysemys bellii marginata Agassiz 

 Painted Turtle 



Description. — A small turtle attaining a carapace length of about six inches. 

 Largest adult Ohio specimen ( 9 ) , had a shell 6I/4 inches in length; smallest 

 juvenile (probably recently hatched), 1 inch. Carapace rigid and covered 

 with horny plates; subovate, depressed and smooth in adults, but with a slight 

 ridge in the very smallest individuals. An outward flare in the region of the 

 hind legs. Margin entire except for the nuchal and the adjacent marginals 

 which may be notched or serrate anteriorly. Shell normally widest in the 

 posterior half. Highest part of carapace 41% to 57% of the distance back 

 from the anterior border; females showing a wider range of variation than 

 males. Dorsal scutes normal, costals alternating with the vertebrals. Mar- 

 ginals 25 (26 in two specimens). 



Plastron rigid and immovably attached to the carapace, well covering the 

 soft parts and subtruncate at either end. Anterior edge of the gulars often 



