CONTENTS 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



PREFACE ... 



INTRODUCTION .... ... 



PART I: THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES 

 Order CHELONIA 



vn 

 ix 

 xi 



I. CLASSIFICATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN TURTLES 



AND TORTOISES 3 



II. THE S E A TURTLES ; Families S^bargida and Cbelonidce 

 Largest of the Chelonians. These Strictly Aquatic 

 Reptiles May be Recognised by their Seal-like 

 Flippers ....... 4 



III. THE SNAPPING TURTLES; Family Ckelydridat 



A Small Family, Composed of Three Large and 



Powerful Species 1 1 



IV. THE MUSK OR MUD TURTLES; Family Cinostcrnida 

 The Genera Aromocbelys and Cinosternum, Com- 

 posed of Small and Thoroughly Aquatic Species, 



the Majority Inhabiting North America . 17 



V. THE TERRAPINS; The Genera Cbrysemys, Malaco- 

 cUmmys, and Cbelopus. Family T estudinida. 

 A Group of Aquatic Chelonians Known Commonly 

 as Pond Turtles and River Turtles. They are 

 Characterised by their Broad, Flat Shell. 

 Most of the Species are Edible ... 28 

 VI. THE Box TURTLES; Genera Emys and Cisfado 



Turtles with Divided, Hinged Plastrons Descriptions 



. of the Species Their Habits .... 54 

 VII. THE TORTOISES; Genus Testudo 



Strictly Terrestrial Chelonians. Represented in North 



America by Three Species .... 65 

 xv 



