TURTLES AND BATRACHIANS OF THE LAKE REGION. 503 



though a number of interesting observations were made. Several nests Avere 

 found and the eggs and young seen at different times. The breeding season 

 is in the spring. A nest was found .June 12, 1901. It was under a submerged 

 board in shallow water at Long Point. The eggs which were not numerous, 

 were about the size and color of yellow peas, and each was fastened to the 

 board al:)ove by a small gelatinous cord. One of the parents remained near 

 the nest apparently watching it. The eggs, however, disappeared one by one, 

 probably taken bj' crawfishes. Apparently none of these eggs remained to 

 hatch and we were unable to determine the period of incubation. 



In our observations of these animals we were struck by the frequency 

 with which they were found dead in pairs. There seems to be a brief period 

 of unusual mortality among them early in the spring when considerable 

 numbers may be found dead along the shore; a phenomenon analgous to that 

 observed in the bluegill. During the summer and fall occasionally dead 

 individuals are found. We are unable to say what significance, if any, lies 

 in the observation that these animals are aften found dead in pairs; it is 

 probably a mere coincidence. The condition of the examples found dead 

 was such as to make it difficult if not imijossible to determine the sex and the 

 cause of their dying; nor could their stomach contents be satisfactorily 

 examined. 



The food value of the waterdog has never been fully tested. Some years 

 ago some experiments were made at Put-in Bay by Mr. J. J. Stranahan 

 which indicated that this batrachian might, through proper treatment, 

 be made a very palatible and nutritious article of food. Its repulsive 

 appearance, however, will to some extent militate against any extensive 

 or general use of the animal for this purjjose. 



Summing up, then, the waterdog does not appear to have any thing to 

 commend it or in favor of its preservation; it seems to serve no useful purpose 

 except that it is an interesting member of the local fauna. 



It is an animal feeder and is destructive to several species of fishes, in that 

 it preys not only on the adults but upon their eggs as well. 



FoUoAving are dates on which waterdogs were observed at the lake: 

 April 6 and 7, 1885, the senior author was at Lake Maxinkuckee, and saw a 

 large number of dead waterdogs frozen in ice in what is now known as Green's 

 marsh south of Outlet Bay. There was more water in that place then than 

 we have ever observed there since. The waterdogs had apparently come 

 out into the marsh and, the temperature suddenly dropping, were caught 

 in the freezing ice; or possibly they had died from another cause and their 

 bodies had been carried by the current on to the marsh. 



In October, 1898, Mr. Chadwick reported them as abundant and stated 

 that they are often caught while fishing through the ice in winter; also that 

 they are often seen in shallow water on muck bottom in winter. 



In 1899, one seen September 10. 



In 1900, one found under a board in shallow water on Long Point August 

 8; one found dead near Maxinkuckee pier August 11; one seen dead floating 



