TORTOISES AND TURTLES. 41 



preaching under the disguise of an old rotten 

 log. This disguise is afforded by the fresh water 

 algse which grows luxuriantly on its shell, and 

 on the mud which settles there. 



The Snapper measures more than three feet 

 from the snout to the tip of the tail, and has a 

 geographical range extending from the Canadian 

 Lakes, east of the Rockies, through the United 

 States to Central America. It is held in whole- 

 some fear, even by man himself, on account of 

 the severe bites which it is capable of inflicting, 

 and is besides cordially hated for the destruction 

 it causes amongst food-fishes and water-fowl. 



For this destruction, however, the Snapper 

 pays a heavy toll, inasmuch as young Snappers 

 are caught in considerable numbers by his arch- 

 enemy man, for table purposes. Their capture 

 is effected by a hook baited with pieces of fish ; 

 but the tackle used must be of the strongest, for 

 a hooked Snapper is not taken without a struggle. 

 Only the young are esteemed, the adults being 

 uneatable owing to the strong odour of musk 

 which pervades the flesh. 



The "Alligator Turtle" (Macroclemmys tem- 

 mincki), a very near relative of the Snapper, 

 and very like it in size and appearance, is even 

 more ferocious, perhaps we should say courageous. 

 When danger threatens, instead of retreating 

 within its shell it assumes a defiant attitude. 

 Eaising itself on its legs, with open mouth, it 

 throws itself upon its assailant with great spirit, 

 shooting out the head as far as the long neck 

 will allow, and at the same time throwing the 

 body forwards, often with such impetus as to 



