14 VERTEBRATA. REPTILIA. 



short, and the shell somewhat flattened. Their 

 habits are aquatic, living either in marshes or in 

 small streams and ponds, where they prey on small 

 fishes and water insects. The Painted Tortoise 

 (E. Picta) is a beautiful species, inhabiting the 

 rivers of North America. It is about six inches 

 long, every plate being edged with a broad yellow 

 border, inclosing a dark brown ground. It rests 

 often on the trunks of fallen trees near the water's 

 edge, into which it plunges on the least alarm. It 

 swims swiftly, and can live long under water, but 

 cannot survive on dry land many days. Its flesh 

 is eaten. 



In some of these, called Box Tortoises, (Terra- 

 pene,*) there are two hinges in the sternum, by 

 which the animal can be completely shut up as in 

 a box. Another, called in North America the 

 Alligator Tortoise, (E. Serpentina,} is marked by 

 the tail being as long as the shell, and furnished 

 with a sort of toothed ridge. " It attains the length 

 of four feet, and often weighs more than twenty 

 pounds. It is a mischievous and voracious animal, 

 tearing young ducks and fishes, and often attacking 

 its own species. It occasionally removes to some 

 distance from the water. It seizes its prey, rising 

 on its hind feet, and thrusting out its neck with 

 great rapidity. It is said to utter a hissing cry, and, 

 when irritated, to bite with so much violence, that 

 there is great difficulty in forcing it to let go its 



* From terrapin, the common name of the Land Tortoises in the United 

 States. 



