THE BOX TORTOISE. 



ii 



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 

 cannot 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. Malaclemys concentric* 



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, notwithstand- 

 ing 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 color of this Salt-water Terrapin is rather variable, but is usually dark green- 

 ish 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 gray. 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 color, but there are 

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

 named the Box TORTOISE. 



