BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OF OHIO. 139 
The Soft-shelled turtle is common in every stream of the 
State. Its flesh is excellent as food. Fishermen frequently catch 
it on hooks bated with liver or beef. When caught it is very 
savage and snaps witha will. It may be seen floating at the 
surface of the river or lake and doubtless derives its food to some 
extent by this means. Its long proboscis-like appendage bears 
the nostrils, and this may be pushed above the surface of the 
water without the body as a whole being conspicuous. 
Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., from Columbus, Sandusky and London, 
collected by the author. 
Family: CHELYDRIDAE. 
Chelydra serpentina (I.). With median crest, with strong tubercles. 
Head narrow, pointed, with dark spots. Tail also crested. Plastron small, 
cross-shaped. Toes 5-4, well webbed. Length 2 feet. 
The Snapping-turtle is common over the State. It is, like 
the preceding, prized as food. It is never seen out of water save 
when it lays its eggs in the spring. During the winter it buries 
itself deep in the mud, but during the warmer days it very prob- 
ably emerges for a short while or until it becomes cold again. 
The Snapper is very savage when caught, and the tenacity 
with which it grasps a stick or better still a finger is proverbial. 
Indeed when once the jaws are set down on an object the head 
may be severed from the body without causing the mouth to open. 
Specimens in the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from 
Hamilton Co. In theO.S. U. Mus., from Columbus, Sandusky and London, 
collected by the author. 
Family : KINOSTERNIDAE. 
Aromochelys odoratus (Lat.). Carapace long, narrow, high, the 
highest point being in anterior third of the shell. Carapace somewhat 
keeled. Above dark, spotted with black. Below yellowish. Length 6 inches. 
The Musk-turtle, or Mud-turtle, as it is sometimes called, is 
very common in the eastern half of the State and in Lake Erie. 
Westward it becomes abundant. It is never conspicuous. Fish- 
ermen very frequently catch it, an operation not especially pleas- 
ing to them as it generally means the loss of a hook. ‘They are 
often seen sunning themselves on rocks and other elevations from 
the water, but at the slightest disturbance they drop into the 
water. 
