The Terrapins 



stripes. On the top of the head is a narrow bar, about five- 

 eighths of an inch in length (on an adult of average size) ; back of 

 this and to each side of it, are very narrow, forked stripes. A 

 narrow stripe borders the eye above, thence extends over the 

 temples where it broadens and runs to the neck; from behind 

 the eye is another band, extending to the neck; beneath the eye 

 is a wide stripe which forks, one portion passing toward the 

 chin and the other backward to the neck. A broad, forked 

 band on the middle of the chin. 



Dimensions. Length of Carapace 12 inches. 



Width of 8J 



Height of " . . , 4* " 



Width of Head i* 



Distribution. The Southeastern United States, from the 

 Carolinas southward to Florida; westward to Missouri. 



THE FLORIDA TERRAPIN 

 Chrysemys floridana, (LeConte) 



At once distinguished by the very high and dome-like cara- 

 pace and the diminutive head. One of the largest species. 



Colouration. Carapace black or dark brown, with wavy yel- 

 low crossbars. Each of the marginal shields has a single, vertical 

 yellow line in the centre; here we note a difference in pattern 

 from the most nearly related species, the Mobile Terrapin* and the 

 Cooter.* on both of which the marginal shields contain, besides 

 the upright bar. numerous concentric lines of the same colour. 



The plastron of the Florida Terrapin is immaculate lemon 

 yellow. 



Head intensely black, with a few, fine, yellow lines. The 

 most vivid stripe is from behind the eye to the neck; the chin 

 stripes are wide. 



Dimensions. Following are the measurements of an ex- 

 ample from the St. John's River, Florida: 



Length of Carapace 13 inches. 



Height of Shell^ 5f 



Width of Carapace 9 



Length of Plastron 12^ 



Width, Flat Portion, of Plastron 5 



Width of Head} i* 



Weight 144 Its. 



* Chrysemys mobiliensis and C. concinna. 



f Note the very high shell and the small head. 



37 



