165 



Malaclemys pseudo-geographioa, (LciS.). 



LeStieur's Map Tortoise. 



E. pseiidogeographica, LeSueur, MSS. in Holbrook, 1842, 54, i, 103 pi. 

 15; Grapternys lesuevrii, Agassiz, 1857, 4. i. 436, pi. 2, figp. 10-12; 

 Malaeoclemmys lesueurii, True, 1875, 10, 34; Boulenger, 1889, 84., 91 

 (not Eymjs lesueurii of Gray). 



Shell oval, depressed, rising roof-like to the distinct medial keel. Pos- 

 terior border of some or all of the vertebral scutes with each a prominent 

 tubercle, largest on the 2d and 3d vertebrals. Shell strongly serrated 

 behind. Nuchal with a notch in its hinder border. Plastron with its 

 hinder lobe not much over one-half the width of the carapace ; a broad 

 shallow notch in its hinder border. Bridge broad and flat, rising little 

 toward the carapace. Head of the males small ; that of the females 

 rather large. Snout not at all projecting. Cutting edge of the upper jaw 

 smooth, convex, the jaw not notched in front; the alveolar surface of 

 moderate width, wholly separated in front by soft skin. Lower jaw with 

 smooth, concave cutting edge, not hooked at the tip. Limbs well devel- 

 oped, the digits webbed to the bases of the claws. Tails of the males, as 

 with most turtles, bringing the vent beyond the edge of the carapace. 



The color of the upper surface of the carapace is olive or occasionally 

 brownish. Usually there are no black spots on the carapace ; but occa- 

 sionally there is a blotch, as if made with the inked end of the finger, on 

 each of the larger scutes and on most of the marginals. Over all the 

 scales there is a network of greenish lines, often obscure, which divide 

 each scute into about 4 or 5 areas. The plastron is yellow, with a little 

 clouding or mottling of brown, or with many irregular and obscure stripes 

 and lines of dark color. Bridge almost uniform brown or with numerous 

 streaks of yellow and brown. Head, neck, limbs, and tail dark green, 

 with many stripes of yellow, and many rows of small yellow spots. Be- 

 hind the eye there is a very characteristic transverse streak of yellow, 

 sometimes short, sometimes turned forward beneath the eye. When the 

 streak is short, there is a yellow dot under the eye. 



The shell of this species may reach a length of 10 inches. Adult female 

 specimens will average 8 inches or less ; males usually smaller. 



This is a species belonging to the Mississippi Valley, ranging from Ohio 

 to Kansas, south to Louisiana, north to Wisconsin. It doubtless occurs 

 throughout the State of Indiana ; nevertheless, I did not find it at Lake 

 Maxinkuckee, and Dr. Levette does not give it in his list of turtles found 

 in the northern part of the State. It is abundant about New Harmony 

 (LeSueur, Max. V. Wied, and Sampson's coll.) ; found at Brookville 

 (Hughes) ; Terre Haute, rare (Blatchley) ; Monroe county (Bollman). 



