feATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OF OHIO. 14! 



This is a gaudy creature and is noticeable in its environment. 

 It frequents still ponds and streams or marshy places, In Buck- 

 eye Lake, where it is to be found sparingly, it is seen sometimes 

 in the interior of one of the Sphagnum bogs away from water. 

 It is also seen among several individuals of C. marginata sitting 

 on a log in the sunshine. They are shy and are in the water at 

 once when disturbed. They feed on mollusks, frogs, tad-poles, 

 etc. , while insects enter largely into their diet. 



While not rare in Ohio they are by no means common. 

 However, they doubtless occur in small numbers in all parts. 



Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., collected by the author from the Lick- 

 ing Reservoir, Castalia and Columbus. 



Emynoidea blandingi (Holbr.). Carapace black, covered with small, 

 yellow spots. Plastron with large, black blotches. Yellow spots on head. 

 Length 8 inches. 



Found in the larger streams flowing into Lake Erie and the 

 Ohio River. It is a large species, but inconspicuous, and its 

 habits are not well known. The species is nowhere abundant, 

 even in its more normal habitat. It has been observed by the 

 writer in the sand on Cedar Point, Sandusky, early in July, 

 apparently ovipositing. On approaching it it draws in head and 

 legs and closes its shell and no amount of thumping will cause it 

 to open the hinged plastron. 



Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., from Columbus and Sandusky. 



Terrapene Carolina (L. ) . Carapace short, high and thrown into many 

 rugosities. Above yellow, with black markings. Plastron hinged in front 

 and behind, capable of closing the shell tight. Length 6 inches. Variable. 



This is the common Box-turtle. While nowhere common in 

 Ohio, it is met with now and then in every portion of the State. 

 It is strictly terrestrial. Their food consists of insects mainly, 

 but unlike any other turtle of the State, is a vegetarian to some 

 extent, eating fungi, roots, potatoes, etc. They are long-lived, 

 and stories are commonly heard of their extreme longevity, based 

 on a specimen that had been discovered bearing an inscription, 

 carved on its shell, which had been made years before. 



Specimens in the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., from Hamilton Co., collected by 

 Dr. Lindahl. In the O. S. U. Mus., collected by Prof. J. H. Schaffner from 

 Sugar Grove ; from Georgesville, by Mr. Coberly, and from Vinton by the 

 author. 



