Newman, Habits of Tortoises. 131 



undoubtedly homologous with the emission of the inguinal glands 

 of the musk and snappmg tortoises, that has such a nauseating 

 odor. Of course it is problematical that even this malodorous 

 excretion serves a protective function, but it at least tends to dis- 

 gust a captor. 



Feeding Habits. — Aspidonectes is voracious and carnivorous, 

 feeding principally upon crayfish and the larvae of large insects. 

 From the vantage ground of a high bank it was possible on still 

 days to observe individuals as they captured their prey. They 

 crawl or swim along the bottom, thrusting their snouts under 

 stones and into masses of aquatic vegetation, occasionally snap- 

 ping up a crayfish or larva that they have succeeded in dislodging. 

 They do not tear up their food, but swallow it whole, using the 

 fore-feet to assist in forcing it down. 



The stomachs of three specimens, opened during the latter part 

 of June, contained the following: 



1. A large female contained nine medium-sized crayfish, only 

 slightly digested. 



2. A medium-sized female contained four crayfish and 

 twenty-two dragon-fly larvae. 



3. A large male contained nine dragon-fly larvae and a few 

 plant buds, probably taken by accident when snapping up the 

 larvae. 



The professional fishermen of Lake Maxinkuckee claim that 

 where "soft-shells" are seen swimming about, large-mouth black 

 bass are not far away. The reason for this became apparent as I 

 watched a group of Aspidonectes feeding. Two large specimens 

 were seen prowlmg about in a somewhat random fashion, while 

 three large bass accompanied them. Occasionally a fish darted 

 after some object near the tortoises, and once I saw both fish 

 and tortoise aim at the same object. Although I could not dis- 

 tinguish the objects of their search I concluded that the bass were 

 accompanying the tortoises in order to profit by the fact that the 

 latter dislodged many animals that they were unable to capture. 

 The stomach contents of both fish and tortoises are identical 

 and this is further evidence of the reality of their habitual 

 association. 



Professor Jacob Reighard has noticed minnows of various 

 sorts following soft-shelled tortoises and picking up food, and 

 suggests that the bass might be feeding upon them rather than 



