CLASS III. REPTILIA: ORDER 1. CHELONIA. 



361 



THE SNAPPING TURTLE. 



aquatic reptiles, by suddenly darting forth its long neck. The average length of this species is 

 nine inches, including the head and tail. 



Other American species are the T. muticus, found in the Ohio River; the T. Bartrami and 

 T. Harlani, both found in East Florida. 

 The Egyptian Tortoise, T. JVihticus, is said to destroy great numbers of young alligators. 

 Gemis CHELONURA: Chelonura. — This includes the well-known Snapping-Turtle, C. ser- 

 pentina, common throughout the United States. The length of the shell is nine inches ; total length 

 fifteen : this species is, however, often much larger ; Ilolbrook mentions one four feet long. It in- 

 habits alike clear and muddy, but gener- 

 ally deep waters ; lays its eggs in a hole 

 which it scoops out in the sand ; feeds on 

 frogs and fishes, and snaps greedily at 

 the legs of ducks in a pond, dragging 

 them under the water to be devoured 

 at leisure. Its propensity to snap at 

 every thing within its reach has given 

 it its common popular name ; it is 

 sometimes called Loggerhead, All'iga- 

 tor-Turtlc, and Couta. The eggs, as 

 well as the flesh, are excellent food, though the old tortoises are rather musky. The head is large, 

 but can be drawn under the shell ; the tail is long, scaly, and pointed ; the fore-legs are large and 

 warty ; the shell is deep ash-color. Another species, the C. Temniinckii, is found in Mississippi. 



THE CIIELYDID^. 



This family presents a general resemblance to the preceding; the head and neck are capable of 

 being retracted to some extent beneath the carapace, which is covered with horny shields. The 

 head is broad and depressed, and the nose usually prolonged into a proboscis. Like the soft turtles, 

 they live in the ponds, lakes, and rivers of warm climates, where they feed principally on fish. 

 ' Genus CHELYS : Chehjs. — This includes the Matamata Tortoise, C. Mutamata, of South 

 America, common in Guiana, and sometimes attaining seventy pounds weight. During the 

 night, and when thev believe themselves to be secure from danger, they come to repose on the 



islets, the rocks, the fallen 

 trunks of trees upon tlie banks, 

 or floating timber, whence 

 they precipitate themselves in- 

 to the water at the sight of man, 

 or at the least alarming noise. 

 They are very voracious and 

 agile, and pursue their prey as 

 they swim, consisting of rep- 

 tiles, more especially young 

 crocodiles and also fishes. On the neck and head there are several membraneous lobes, which 

 give them a hideous appearance. Their flesh being esteemed, they are angled for with a hook and 

 line, baited with small fish or living animals, or with a dead bait, to which the angler gives motion 

 and apparent life ; for they are said never to approach a dead and immovable prey. When they 

 would seize their food or defend themselves, they dart out their head and long neck with the 

 rapidity of an arrow. They bite sharply with their trenchant beak, and do not let go till they 

 have taken the piece out on which they have seized ; so that their bite is much dreaded, and the 

 fishermen generally cut off" their heads as soon as they have caught them. 



THE EMYDIDvE. 



This is a very extensive family, generally distributed over the globe. The carapace is 

 completely ossified, and its bones united by sutures ; the jaws are horny, and destitute of lips, 

 Vol. II.— 46. 



THE MATAMATA TORTOISE. 



