142 journal of Comparative Neurology and Psychology. 



than fourteen years — according to the age record afforded by 

 the annual growth rings on the scutes. 



Graptemys refuses to mate in captivity and I have been unable 

 to obtain any data as to mating in nature. 



Behavior in Captivity. — When confined in aquatic enclosures 

 with access to land, they spend most of their time wandering about 

 seeking a way of escape. Deep paths are w^orn along the edges 

 of the enclosures by this continual patrol. They do not become 

 accustomed to their captivity within a year, but will invariably 

 seek the water on the approach of a human being. 



Owing to the fact that they w^ill not feed in captivity, it is impos- 

 sible to keep them longer than about sixteen months, smce they 

 become weakened by disease and slowly lose vitality. When near 

 death they seem to commit suicide by filling the lungs with water 

 and breathing it until life is extinct. I have occasionally 

 attempted to rescue them from drowning by putting them on 

 floating boards, but, even if too weak to cravd off they usually 

 manage to mimerse the head so as to continue the respiration of 

 water. This apparent suicide is probably brought about by 

 extreme weakness and the consequent inability to come to the 

 surface for air. When once the lungs become filled with water 

 it would be impossible for them to breathe air and the inhibition 

 of respiration caused by removing them from water no doubt 

 stimulates their failing energies to the resumption of water 

 breathing. 



Behavior of the Toiing. — The young bask in more exposed places 

 than the adults and in many ways show a decided lack of wariness. 

 They are less disturbed by capture and retire less readily into the 

 shell. They are also found in shallower water and less frequently 

 swim about on the surface than do the adults. In other respects 

 there is no marked difference in behavior between young and old 

 specimens. 



Difference in Disposition of the Sexes. — The males are much 

 smaller and weaker than the females and are much more timid 

 and less fierce when captured, showing a decided gentleness when 

 handled. They are also more retiring and are consequently 

 found in smaller numbers. The disposition of the male Grap- 

 temys is much like that of the species Nannemys guttata. 



Summary. — Graptemys geographica is a very typical water 

 tortoise. Its disposition or character is not extreme in any 



