324 



CIVIC BIOLOGY 



FIG. 156. Common snapping 

 turtle 



of our own southern coasts, and especially their eggs, we may hope to in- 

 crease the American supply. May not classes in biology work up local 

 statements of this problem and help to develop public sentiment ? 



Of the four species the green turtle 

 ( Eretmochelys mydas) is most highly 

 prized for food. While formerly speci- 

 mens weighing 600 pounds were cap- 

 tured, now specimens weighing more, 

 than oO pounds are rarely seen. The log- 

 gerhead (Thalassochelys caretta) is coarser 

 and does not command so high a price, 

 but may not be distinguished from prime 

 beef even by a butcher (Hornaday). The 

 hawksbill (E. imbricata} supplies the tor- 

 toise shell of commerce, but is not used 

 for food. The harp turtle, or leather- 

 back (Sphargia coriacea), the largest of all, is said to be unfit for food. 

 Terrapins and tortoises. The diamond-backed terrapin (Malacoclem- 

 mys palustris) is so renowned a delicacy with the epicures that extinction 

 of the species has seemed imminent. It formerly ranged from Massa- 

 chusetts to Mexico (the Chesapeake being a center of special abundance), 

 inhabiting the salt marshes and 

 feeding upon Crustacea, small mol- 

 lusks, and marsh vegetation. Prices 

 have risen from $> a dozen for large 

 ones to $70 for small ones, and this 

 has so stimulated the hunt for them 

 that a well-grown specimen has be- 

 come a curiosity in the wild habi- 

 tat. Experiments of the United 

 States Bureau of Fisheries, the re- 

 sults of which are given in a FIG. 157. Common box tortoise 

 recent bulletin, have proved that 



this terrapin may be profitably reared in inclosed tide pools. Waste 

 tide flats are thus beginning to be used for terrapin farms. 



The common snapping terrapin, or "turtle " (Chelydra serpentina), and 

 the alligator terrapin (Macrockelys temmincki) of the Gulf states, while 

 valuable for food, are "demons of the deep" (Thompson Seton) for 

 destroying waterfowl and fishes. United effort should be made to ex- 

 terminate them from waters where rearing of waterfowl is an industry* 



