FAMILY CHELONID^. 9 



partially webbed ; those of the fore feet almost entirely so. The claws are robust, channelled 

 beneath, moderately curved. Tail very long, cylindrical at the base, slightly compressed on 

 the sides, and tapering to an acute tip ; its dorsal surface crested by numerous compressed 

 elevated scales, becoming smaller behind ; a series of large flat scales on the sides. 



Young. The lateral plates form a prominent ridge on each side, becoming more elevated 

 behind, and separated from the dorsal ridge by a broad and deep furrow. All the plates of 

 the shell strongly marked with elevated lines radiating forwards, with slight concentric fur- 

 rows. In the adult, these are obsolete. The supplementary or wing plates are united to the 

 margin by three small plates. 



Color. Dusky brown or olivaceous green above. The sternum, under side of the marginal 

 plates, and of the neck, feet and tail, bright yellow, which becomes dull with age. Eyes 

 brown. In a specimen from Lake Janet, Hamilton county, the under sides of the marginal 

 plates were of a beautiful light green. 



Total length, 12-0 -48-0. 



Ditto of tail, 4-0- 16-0. 



This is one of our largest turtles. It is common in every part of the State, and inhabits 

 equally the clearest and muddiest streams. It is occasionally met with at a distance from the 

 water, probably in search of food, or of a suitable place of deposit for its eggs. On the 

 Raquet river, Franklin county, I found them laying their eggs in June, and we were frequently 

 indebted to these deposits for a precarious meal. They scoop out a hole in the sand a short 

 distance from the water, a few inches deep ; and by probing with a short stick in places indi- 

 cated by the tracks of the animal, we frequently obtained as many as sixty or seventy eggs 

 from one spot. The eggs, as well as the animal, afford a very nutritious and savory food. 

 The larger and older jinimals have a strong musky flavor, which renders them unpalatable. 

 They feed upon frogs and fishes, and snap greedily at ducks in ponds, dragging them under 

 water to be devoured at leisure. It is this propensity to snap at every thing within its reach, 

 which has obtained for it its popular name. In other sections, it is known under the names 

 of Loggerhead, Alligator Turtle and Couta. I have frequently observed a small leech 

 (Clepsina scabra) adhering to it. 



This species appears to extend over the whole Union, but its precise geographical limits 

 are not yet ascertained. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



C. temmincki, (Holb. Vol. 1, pi. 24.) Head enormously large, covered above and on the sides with 

 plates. Upper jaw hooked in front; lower jaw with a strong tooth-like process received in a cavity 

 in the upper jaw. Shell tricarinate, concave in front, deeply emarginate and dentate behind ; mar- 

 ginal plates 31, placed in two rows at the flanks. Tail not crested. Length of head and neck 12 

 inches ; of sheU, 22 inches ; tail, 1 4 • 0. Mississippi. 

 Fauna — Part 3. 2 



