FAMILY CHELONID. 9 
partially webbed ; those of the fore feet almost entirely so. The claws are robust, channelled 
beneath, moderately curved. Tail very long, cylindrical at the base, slightly compressed on 
the sides, and tapering to an acute tip ; its dorsal surface crested by numerous compressed 
elevated scales, becoming smaller behind ; a series of large flat scales on the sides. 
Young. The lateral plates form a prominent ridge on each side, becoming more elevated 
behind, and separated from the dorsal ridge by a broad and deep furrow. All the plates of 
the shell strongly marked with elevated lines radiating forwards, with slight concentric fur- 
rows. In the adult, these are obsolete. The supplementary or wing plates are united to the 
margin by three small plates. 
Color. Dusky brown or olivaceous green above. The sternum, under side of the marginal 
plates, and of the neck, feet and tail, bright yellow, which becomes dull with age. Eyes 
brown. In a specimen from Lake Janet, Hamilton county, the under sides of the marginal 
plates were of a beautiful light green. 
Mota Wlenoth Weeemecn ce come aces 12°0 - 48-0. 
Dittoron tate eens tee 4°0- 16°0, 
This is one of our largest turtles. It is common in every part of the State, and inhabits 
equally the clearest and muddiest streams. It is occasionally met with at a distance from the 
water, probably in search of food, or of a suitable place of deposit for its eggs. On the 
Raquet river, Franklin county, I found them laying their eggs in June, and we were frequently 
indebted to these deposits for a precarious meal. They scoop out a hole in the sand a short 
distance from the water, a few inches deep ; and by probing with a short stick in places indi- 
cated by the tracks of the animal, we frequently obtained as many as sixty or seventy eggs 
from one spot. The eggs, as well as the animal, afford a very nutritious and savory food. 
The larger and older animals have a strong musky flavor, which renders them unpalatable. 
They feed upon frogs and fishes, and snap greedily at ducks in ponds, dragging them under 
water to be devoured at leisure. It is this propensity to snap at every thing within its reach, 
which has obtained for it its popular name. In other sections, it is known under the names 
of Loggerhead, Alligator Turtle and Couta. J have frequently observed a small leech 
(Clepsina scabra) adhering to it. 
This species appears to extend over the whole Union, but its precise geographical limits 
are not yet ascertained. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
C. temmaincki, (Hors. Vol. 1, pl. 24.) Head enormously large, covered above and on the sides with 
plates. Upper jaw hooked in front; lower jaw with a strong tooth-like process received in a cavity 
in the upper jaw. Shell tricarinate, concave in front, deeply emarginate and dentate behind; mar- 
ginal plates 31, placed in two rows at the flanks. Tail not crested. Length of head and neck 12 
inches; of shell, 22 inches; tail, 14:0. Mfississippz. 
Fauna — Part 3. 2 
