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The ventral shell, the plastron, has a transverse hinge near 

 the middle. The wood tortoise has a keeled carapace, 

 the plates of which are marked with concentric striae 

 and radiating black bands. In the Gallapagos Islands 

 very large tortoises are found, one of which, the elephant 

 tortoise, attains a length of five feet and is able to carry a 

 man. 



The term terrapin is used to designate those tortoises 

 having more or less of a web between the toes so that they 

 are adapted to both terrestrial and aquatic life. The 



painted terrapin (Chry semis picta) is so called on account 

 of the bright red markings on the margins of the shell. 

 It is abundant everywhere along the ponds and streams 

 of the eastern United States. Large numbers sit on the 

 logs and the stones at the water's edge sunning them- 

 selves, and at the approach of any one glide into the 

 water. Several species of terrapins are much prized for 

 food. The snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), attaining 

 a length of two feet, is common throughout most of 

 North America. Soup made from it is greatly in demand. 

 It is a fierce carnivorous reptile feeding on ducks, chick- 

 ens, frogs, and other aquatic animals. 



