SHORT STUDIES OF TURTLES. 265 



prized as an article of food has had much to do with 

 their gradual disappearance in many localities where they 

 were once abundant. 



Of its habits generally, I am ashamed to admit, I know 

 nothing. 



Modern civilization, fortunately, has not as yet devised 

 any means of utilizing the unattractive mud-turtle ; so 

 they remain, as of yore, fairly abundant in all muddy 

 streams, ponds, and ditches. I know those best which 

 frequent the ditches in my meadows. These ditches are 

 now quite like natural water-courses, by virtue of the 

 green banks and weedy growths which all summer choke 

 the sluggish current " that passes slowly through them. 

 Through these weeds, and in the foot or more of mud 

 that sustains their growth, these turtles, "mud-diggers" 

 as the boys call them, pass their seemingly monotonous 

 lives, seldom poking their noses above the surface. Of 

 course, in spring, they take an overland journey to some 

 sunny, sandy field to lay their eggs. Having accom- 

 plished this, they hasten back to their proper homes, and 

 this is the extent of their travels. Do they cogitate, on 

 their return, over what they saw in the outside world? 

 They have little brains, to be sure, but as they often prove 

 that they have a modicum of common-sense, it is not 

 altogether impossible. 



Unlike the preceding species of aquatic turtles, this 

 one shuns the sunlight, and keeps closely to the deepest 

 holes that it can find. Here they dwell in company, 

 often a hundred or more together, remaining throughout 

 the day comparatively quiet. At night, however, they 

 are fairly active, and, guided by the sense of smell, they 

 hunt for such animal food as may chance to be available. 

 I say active at night and passive by day, for, when fishing 

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