110 REPTILIAN WATER TRESPASSERS. 



The real snapping turtle has a very ferocious look about 

 it, while the green turtle is one of the mildest and 

 foolishest-looking of reptiles. The name trionyx is 

 Greek, and signifies three-clawed, in allusion to the 

 structure of the feet, only three toes of each foot pos- 

 sessing claws, although the full complement of five toes 

 is possessed by the reptile. 



It well deserves its name of snapping turtle, for it 

 snaps and bites with astonishing ferocity; while its 

 long and lithe neck enables it to bring a considerable 

 area within reach of its jaws. It feeds mostly on fish, 

 but catches various water-fowl, and is not above 

 eating young alligators when it can find them. 



Its voracity renders it liable to be taken with a 

 hook and line, as has been related of the Alligator 

 Terrapin ; but it requires very strong tackle, and a 

 skilful hand, to land it safely. It is so heavy, so 

 strong, and so active, that an angler who caught one 

 of these creatures when he was expecting a fish, com- 

 pared it to a mill-stone with a steam engine inside it. 

 Fish is perhaps the best bait for this reptile. After 

 it has been captured, it is generally placed in a tank and 

 kept alive until wanted; the injury inflicted by the 

 hook not affecting it in the least. 



So indifferent is the creature to injury, that after 

 the head has been severed from the body, the former 

 will snap and bite for a considerable time, as if it were 

 possessed of its body; while the latter will crawl 

 about as if it were still possessed of its head. In one 

 case, where a snapping turtle was decapitated, and 

 then plunged into boiling water, the heart was still 

 pulsating; and, when removed from the body and 



