SHORT STUDIES OF TURTLES. 253 



any very young specimens of the animal. The smallest 

 box-tortoise I have ever seen measured something over 

 two inches in length, or about one third the size of a 

 full-grown specimen. Considering the number of adult 

 tortoises seen, this is the more remarkable, and I am led 

 to suppose that when very young they frequent localities 

 different from those in which I have chanced to ramble. 



There is a second species of land-tortoise occasionally 

 found in central New Jersey, known as Blanding's tor- 

 toise. It is a very different creature in every way, and 

 the two specimens that I have found were as fierce and 

 snappish as the preceding was mild and inoffensive. 

 Both specimens were found in high, dry, upland woods, 

 though, as a rule, they are supposed to frequent damp, 

 swampy localities. Beyond its exhibitions of temper I 

 learned nothing of its habits. 



In the high and dry woods it is quite unlikely that 

 any other species will be found. If a running brook be 

 near by, all the aquatic species will at times be found, 

 throughout the early spring, on their way to suitable 

 spots wherein to lay their eggs ; but their sojourn in such 

 a locality is temporary, lasting but little if any longer than 

 a month. All the turtles, except the two mentioned, are 

 essentially aquatic, or dwellers in such damp localities 

 that the term " aquatic " is scarcely inappropriate. 



The first of those found, either in the water or in the 

 wettest of woodlands, is the rough-backed terrapin, or 

 "diamond-back," as it is more commonly known. I say 

 " first," because it can thrive more easily without access to 

 running water than either of the species hereafter men- 

 tioned. This turtle or terrapin, as it is more usually 

 called, is considered a great delicacy by epicures, and 

 has been so persistently hunted that now it is quite scarce. 



