Tlth 



carajiwe the j>lat>s are marked with :i numU-r <>f radiating triangular spota, and .n tin- plat'-- 

 u lin-li .-.L-,- tlie shell there are lines of black. Below, the yellow generally takes a more orange 

 tint, :iml is diversified with black murks round ita edge. 



' 



WE now come to a group of Tortoises called TKKRAHINH. 



These creatures are inhabitants of the water, and are mostly found in rivers. They are 

 carnivorous in their diet, and take their food while in the water. They may be known by tli.-ir 

 flattened heads, covered with skin, sometimes hard, but often of a soft c< insistency, and their 

 broad feet with the toes webbed as far as the claws. 



THE LETTERED TORTOISE is, together with its companion, an American species of the large 

 genus Emys, examples of which are found in various j>ortions of the world, and of which 

 nearly fifty species are known to zoologists. All these creatures have their heads covered with 

 a thin but hard skin. 



The Lettered Terrapin is very common in Northern America, and is found in the riven, 

 ponds, lakes, or even the marshy grounds, where it can obtain an abundant supply of food. 

 It is fond of reptiles, and causes great destruction among the frogs in their earlier stages of 

 \i-N-nce. It also has a great liking for worms, and, like the green crab of our own coasts, is 

 very apt to take the fisherman's bait, and exasperates him greatly by making him pull up 

 nothing but a little Tortoise when he thought he had caught a fine fish. Regular anglers, 

 therefore, bear an intense hatred to this Tortoise. 



It is easily kept in captivity, and will then feed on many substances, preferring those of 

 an animal nature, and being very fond of various reptiles. It will also eat vegetable substances, 

 and one of these Tortoises was fond of purslain (PortvJaeea oleracea). 



In color it is very pretty, though rather variable. Generally, it is dark brown above, and 

 tin- edges are boldly scribbled with broad *-arl.-t marks, sorm -thing like the letters of 

 strange language. Below it i* yellow, and the head is yellow and black 



