123 



'4'Ir' t'g^s may vviwU ahoiil .^i.^ij .11 nuiiibcr and arc itcarl} wliitv 

 ill i-olor, pc'ilrrllv sithciiral, hard and ssiiioutli, oiu' iiicli iu diaiuuter, 

 aud protc'ctt'd bv a licavy hiiiilr, cakarcous shell. Tlicy arc laid iu 

 May in sand ahtng (lie iivrr bank, and in Anj^nsl the yunng hatch 

 and j^o inmicdialcly inlo I he \Natci'. 



Uufortuuatuly, ouly two y>t Uic Soft-shelled Turtles available lur 

 exauiiuatiou coutaiued food, al though a greater uumber were exam- 

 ined aud fouud to be t'Uipty. Uf these ueitiier bad eateu auy vege- 

 table matter, but both coutaiued Crayfish, which are couimou iu- 

 habitants of streams they frequeut, aud are doubtless among the 

 chief elements of their food, in devouring Crayhsh (or Craw- 

 lishj, auy creature is objectionable from the fact that it is one 

 ot the most important foods of the carnivorous fishes, ilay asserts 

 that "it fcedvs on such tishes and reptiles as it can secure." 



One !Sott-!shcllcd Tniile was lound to coatain IragmentiS of beetles 

 so broken as to be beyoud recognition, but iudicating the possibility 

 of these creatures feeding u[)on insects which may be found floating 

 on the water or in damp places frequented by such turtles. 



We take this opportunity to record the fact thai we have fouud 

 the Soft-shelled Turtle feeding upon grains of corn obtained in or 

 near the ponds which they inhabit. A specimen examined by u^ 

 in Ohio some years ago contained both the yellow aud red field coru, 

 or Indian corn, to the extent of almost as much corn as would be 

 produced upon two average ears of this plant. 



From an economic standpoint this turtle is far more beneficial 

 than injurious, because it contributes materially to the food of man. 

 AVe hope to receive specimens captured within the boundaries of 

 Pennsylvania, and invite observations upon the habits of this 

 species. 



Species No. 3. Aspidonectes agassizi liaur. Agassiz's Turtle. 



This species is distinguished by the universal white color on the 

 under part of the feet. It is known as Agassiz's Turtle, because 

 named in honor of the famous naturalist. It is found mostly in the 

 central and southern portions of the Mississippi Valley, although it 

 is to be looked for along the Ohio river in Pennsylvania. We have 

 no record of its occurrence iu (his State but it is not impossible for 

 it to be fouud here. Both male and female have tubercles on the 

 front of the carapace, but they are larger in the males. The back is 

 blotched and mottled in color in the adult, while the young show 

 dots or spots and two or thrc'e black lines around the margins. Its 

 habits are very similar to those of the Common Soft-shelled Turtle. 



We invite rendeis to watch for ^pecinu'ns of such turtles and help 

 us in establishing records of their presence in this Slate. 



