REPTILIA (THE TURTLE) 



(1) Follow plan of study for the fish, p. 112. 



(2) Compare the turtle and the frog. 



(3) How do you account for the turtle's carapace and plas- 

 tron? 



(4) How do you account for the absence of limbs in the snake? 

 Did they ever have limbs? Were snakes larger formerly than 

 now? See your Geology on reptiles. 



(5) How do you account for the classification of snakes, 

 turtles, aUigators, and crocodiles as Reptilia? 



STUDY OF THE LIVE TURTLE 



1. Field Study. 



Protected by rubbers or rubber boots, go very cautiously 

 along the banks of a secluded pond or stream. 



(1) Look upon fallen tree trunks or stumps for turtles 



basking in the sunshine. 



(a) What do they do if they become aware of your 



presence? 



(b) How do they become aware of it? 



(c) How do they get back into the water? 



(d) Wait quietly to see if they will return. 



(2) Fish for turtles with a hook and stout line. For bait 



use a short piece of fresh meat. 



(3) When one is caught, put it in the mud outside of the 



stream and watch it. 



(a) If it walks away, does it carry its body above the 



ground or does it creep along with its body dragging 

 on the ground? 



(b) What does it do with the head and neck when walk- 



ing? 



152 



