143 



dence of its direct orcuriciui' in I'eunsylvania, but are satisfied that 

 it should be listed in the Peunsylvania lauiia on the basis of its 

 occurrence in Ijake Erie and Ohio. 



"It is entirely aiiuatic; and (liougli trecjuently seen on fallen trees 

 or rocks that rise above the water, yet it only seeks the land in the 

 breeding; season. Inhabits many of (he rivers tliat empty into the 

 Mississippi, but has been found to the eastward of the Allegheny 

 range." — Holbrook, page 106. 



"It comes out of the water to deposit eggs. Eggs are large, being 

 an inch and a half in the longest, and an inch in the shortest 

 diameter. According to Agassiz, this species deposits its eggs 

 earlier in the season than any other of our turtles. At Natchez, 

 Miss., one was found to have laid her eggs as early as the first of 

 June. 



"An eminently aquatic tortoise, spending its life in rivers, lakes 

 and ponds, and coming out of the water only to bask in the sun on 

 some rock or fallen tree, or to deposit its eggs. This species does 

 not appear to be ehiployed to any considerable extent as food, yet 

 there seems to be no reason why its flesh should not be as savory 

 as that of many species which are highly esteemed." — Hay, page 574. 



Comparatively little is known concerning the food and feeding 

 habits of this Turtle, excepting that it is said to feed upon very 

 small fish, reptiles, etc. While it is quite rare in this State, it 

 can be expected in the western and northwestern portions, and we 

 hope to hear from persons who are interested in aiding us to obtain 

 specimens from those regions. 



Species 9. Malaclemmys centrata (Latr.). Diamond-Back. [Mal- 

 acodemmys centrata (Latr.).] 



The famous "Diamond-Back" or Diamond Back Turtle variously 

 known by other names such as Salt Marsh Turtle, Concentric Turtle, 

 The Terrapin and Diamond Back Terrapin, Salt Marsh Terrapin, and 

 Salt Water Terrapin, is mostly known as the Diamond-Back, but is 

 frequently called the Salt Marsh Turtle. It receives its first 

 common name from the diamond shaix'd markings on the carapace, 

 but of course the other common name refers to its place of living. 



The Diamond-Back occurs in salt marshes of tJie coast of the 

 Atlantic and the Gulf from Massachusetts to Texas. Stone reports 

 it as being rare in New Jersey. In Pennsylvania it is indeed more 

 rare if found at all. It may have lived at one time in the extreme 

 southeastern corner of Pennsylvania but owing to its high value as 

 food and the great persistence with which it was hunted, it is no 

 doubt exterminated in our Commonwealth at the present time. 



