TURTLES. 



451 



mon box-tortoise in size. Its young aie jet black, and, though the parents are elongate, 

 nearly circular in outline. JR. Intaria is the European rejjrosentative. 



The genus Cistmlo includes the common box-tortoise, inhabiting the United 

 States east of the Mississippi, and presenting more variety of form and coloration 

 than any other member of the family. It is in most localities quite abundant, and is 

 found in pastures and uplands, seeking its food of ' toad-stools * and ' mushrooms,' and 

 may at once be recognized, in that it is able, by means of the two lids of the plastron, 

 to completely enclose itself in its shell, and in having its upper jaw unjjrovided with 

 the anterior notch so characteristic of the previous form. Though the shell seldom 



Fig. 260. — Chcti/dra serpentiiux, snapping- 



-turtle. 



measures over seven inches in length, the animals live to a most remarkable age, 

 seemingly until put to some violent death. A venerable box-turtle was recently seen 

 which bore dates of the latter part of the last century, as well as successive ilates of 

 the present. There have since been five generations in the family of the one who first 

 carved his name on the ])lastron of this respected resident. Unlike our other turtles, 

 this species, C. Carolina, has a particular dislike for the water, and soon dies if jdaced in 

 it. The toes often vary in number with different individuals, those having only three 

 on the hind feet being not uncommon in the more western and southern habitat. C. 

 omata, a form which alw'ays has the vertebral scales keeled, and is de]>ressed and 

 rounded, inhabits the valley of the upper Mississippi and the country lying south. 



