The Terrapins 



portion of the throat, though there are several pairs of black 

 stripes. Above, the head is traversed by narrow stripes. 



Dimensions. — A moderate-sized example from Baker Co., 

 Ga., shows these measurements: 



Length of Carapace 5 J inches. 



Width of " 3| 



Length of Plastron 4I " 



Width, Flat Portion. Plastron i| 



Length of Head and Neck 4 " 



Width of Head | " 



The largest specimen examined by the writer was 8|^' inches long 

 (carapace) and weighed 3! pounds. The shell was black and all 

 trace of the yellow, reticulated pattern had faded with age; the en- 

 tire carapace was so covered with small furrows as to appear dull and 

 lustreless. This turtle was taken near Orlando, Florida. 



Distribution. — States east of the Mississippi River, from 

 North Carolina to Florida (inclusive). 



TROOST'S TERRAPIN 



Chrysemys iroosti, (Holbrook) 



Size large — carapace ten inches; shell flat. The carapace 

 is bluntly rounded in front; more sharply rounded in the rear 

 with dull serrations between the marginal shields and in the 

 centre of each of them; upper shell usually quite smooth — 

 sometimes furrowed on the sides. 



Colouration. — Owing to the lack of yellow stripes on the 

 head, neck and limbs, this species is distinct from the others. 

 On a few examples obscure, greenish stripes may be seen on the 

 head and neck, but unless examined closely, these organs seem 

 to be of a uniform hue. The effect is very different from the 

 vividly-striped head of nearly all the larger terrapin. 



The colouration of the shell is also characteristic. The 

 carapace is olive, profusely blotched with black and irregularly 

 so, except on the marginal shields, where the black is present 

 at their junctions. Plastron yellow, blotched with black. 



Dimensions. — Length of Carapace 8i inches. 



Width of '' 6i " 



Length of Plastron 7J 



Width, Flat Portion, Plastron .... 4 



Height of Shell 2| 



Width of Head i| " 



35 



