THE BOX TOKT01SE. 



11 



The generic name of Malaclemys, or Soft Terrapin, has been given to this species on 

 account of the formation of the head, which is covered with soft spongy skin. The head 

 is large in proportion to the size of the animal and flattened above. 



This Terrapin lives in the salt-water marshes, where it is very plentiful, and from 

 which it never travels to any great distance. During the warm months of the year, it is 

 lively and constantly searching after prey, but when the cold weather comes on, it burrows 

 a hole in the muddy banks of its native marsh and there lies buried until the warm 

 sunbeams of spring break its slumbers and induce it once more to seek the upper earth 

 and resume its former active existence. 



It is more active in its movements than is the case with the Tortoises in general, 

 and can not only swim rapidly, but walk with tolerable speed. It is very shy, and 

 discovers approaching peril with a keenness of perception that could scarcely be expected 

 from one of these shielded reptiles, whose dulness and torpidity have long been proverbial 



SALT-WATER TERRAPIN. Malacltmys conctntnua. 



Mr. Holbrook, in his valuable "North American Herpetology," writes as follows 

 concerning this Terrapin. 



" They are very abundant in the salt marshes around Charleston, and are easily 

 taken when the female is about to deposit her eggs in the spring and early summer 

 months. They are then brought in immense numbers to market ; yet, notwithstanding 

 this great destruction, they are so prolific that their number appears undiminished. Their 

 flesh is excellent at all times, but in the northern cities it is most esteemed when the 

 animal has been dug out of the mud in its state of hibernation. The males are smaller 

 than the females, and have the concentric striae more deeply impressed." 



The colour of this Salt-water Terrapin is rather variable, but is usually dark greenish 

 brown on the upper surface, and yellow on the plates which surround the edge of the 

 shell. Below it is yellow, and in many specimens it is marked with variously shaped 

 spots of dark grey. The lower jaw is furnished with a hook, and the sides of the head 

 are dusty white sprinkled with many small black spots. 



VERY many species of Tortoise are extremely variable in their colour, but there are 

 few which are so remarkable in this respect as the creature which is appropriately named 

 the Box TOETOISB. 



