DIAMOND-BACKED TERRAPIN 



37 



its association with champagne. From the unlucky day when 

 the epicures of Maryland pronounced terrapin stew a partic- 

 ularly delicious dish, the doom of this species has been 

 sealed. Its price has risen from the original twenty-five 



WOOD "TURTLE" (Chelopus insculptus). 



Back rugose. An exception to the rule of Smooth- 

 Shelled Terrapins. 



cents each for large ones to seventy dollars per dozen for small 

 ones, and the supply is rapidly dwindling to nothing. It is 

 now a difficult matter for a zoologist to procure for exhibi- 

 tion a specimen that is more than half grown. 



In appearance the Diamond-Back is neither beautiful 

 nor striking, and in flavor I think it has been greatly over- 



