284 LIVING THINGS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT 



Study the diagram carefully and then make an es- 

 timate of the time that elapses between each of 

 the stages shown above. 



jelly in shallow water. 

 Be sure to bring in 

 some eggs if you find 

 them so you can 

 watch their develop- 

 ment. 



You may also see 

 several different 

 kinds of turtles. 

 They make interest- 

 ing pets, but should 

 not be kept in the 

 aquarium, for they 

 will eat the other 

 inhabitants. If you 

 watch a water turtle, 

 you will notice that he comes to the surface after a time, 

 and that quite often under water he gives off a stream 

 of bubbles from his mouth. This shows that he breathes 

 by lungs, and has to come out frequently for air. The 

 spotted mud turtle is found in brooks, while the painted 

 turtle is found in shallow ponds. A snapping turtle 

 occasionally found. Be care- 

 ful if you pick him up, for he 

 has a long neck and sharp 

 jaws. Soft-shelled turtles are 

 common in the South and in 

 the far West. 



Other Inhabitants. Most 

 brooks and ponds are in- 

 habited by snails. Several 

 different kinds will be found 

 living on water plants or 

 crawling on stones or along , 



The western painted turtle, commonly 



the bottom. They make an called water turtle. 



IS 



