218 THE SIX-LINED TARAGUINA. 



applies is a very different creature. Its other name is the 

 tierce trionyx. 



It belongs to the family of tortoises, popularly called soft 

 turtles. Its flattened head is rather oval, with horny jaws, 

 and hanging fleshy lips, the mouth lengthened into a cylindrical 

 snout. It has an extremely long neck, which it can contract 

 at will ; short, wide feet ; and toes connected by strong webs. 

 It is the most savage and formidable of its tribe ; being 

 terribly destructive, not only among fish, but smaller quadru- 

 peds, birds, and reptiles, which it can capture. For this 

 object it lies in wait till they come down to drink, or till 

 some water-fowl flies too close to its haunt. It is said even 

 to capture and eat young alligators. 



Though devouring so many other creatures, the snapping 

 turtle is often eaten himself; being hooked and drawn on 

 shore by the fishermen. It fights, on such occasions, and 

 struggles ferociously, darting its head here and there, en- 

 deavouring to seize the hands of its captors with its formidable 

 jaws. 



It possesses extraordinary tenacity of life ; and even after 

 the head is cut off, the body, it is asserted, will crawl for a 

 short way over the ground. 



LIZARDS: THE SIX-LINED TARAGUINA. 



We shall find several lizards in various parts of America 

 the greater number in the Southern States. The first we meet 

 with is the six-lined taraguina, belonging to the family of 

 teguexins, which are remarkable for the many-sided shields 

 which cover their heads, and the double collar on the throat. 

 This little creature is much smaller than the rest of its family- 

 being only about eleven inches in length of a darkish green 



