152 



HERPETOLOGY OF MICHIGAN. 



''The eggs are ellipsoidal in shape, of a dull white color, and 

 have a rather soft easily indented shell. The number laid by one 

 female at one time varies from eleven to fourteen. 



The eggs hatch, as a rule, late in August or earlj in September, 



.k'^ni 



sV DOMINION OF CANADA 



ILLINOIS i| 



I 



C H ■ C . C • g|. 



Fig. 53. Distribution of Graptemys geographica. 

 Horizontal ruling, specimens examined ; vertical ruling, reports only. 



the young burroAving to the surface through the sand. When thej 

 emerge they are covered with sand that adheres for some time. 

 Their instinct directs them unerringly toward the water and they 

 frequently have to travel almost incredible distances before reach- 

 ing the lake or a tributary stream. On two occasions I have found 

 recently hatched Graptemys, at a distance of about a quarter of 



