10 BuUetin 1. Biological Society of WasJiington, 1918. 



since been written on the place. The comment upon animals 

 is quoted: 



"This island is the resort of various reptiles. We found 

 the nest of the terrapin {Testudo concent rica. or concentric 

 tortoise), or fresh-water turtle, in the garden at the distance 

 of about thirty feet from the water, containing nineteen 

 eggs, laid close to each other, and the interstices filled with 

 earth. The greater circumference of the egg was four inches 

 and half; the lesser, three. The nest, or hole, was of an oval 

 form, and four inches in depth. The eggs of this species are 

 deposited from the first of June to the middle of July. 

 Before the turtle commences the formation of the hole for 

 her eggs, she urines on the spot, then scrapes out a little 

 earth, again urines, and thus continues until the operation 

 is finished. I saw another nest, from which the turtle was 

 taken at the moment when she had placed herself in an 

 almost erect position to deposit her eggs, which she always 

 performs during the day, and it is said, never returns to 

 the spot. The young ones are hatched by the heat of the 

 sun, and are (p. 144) supposed to remain in the nest till 

 spring. Several persons, whom I consulted on this subject, 

 assured me that they have turned them up with the plough 

 at this season. The turtle, when shaken before she lays her 

 eggs, makes a hollow noise, as if she contained water. One 

 in this state weighed six pounds, which, it appears, is the 

 common size. The species known by the name of the terrapin 

 is very shy, and ceases to walk as soon as it sees a jjerson 

 approach near it. When endeavoring to escape, it runs 

 nearly as fast as a duck. The blacks make soup and eat 

 the eggs of this species, of which they are very fond. 



"The snapping turtle {Testudo ferox) is also seen in the 

 waters of this river, some of which weigh from forty to fifty 

 pounds, and lay forty or fifty eggs. General Mason, some 

 years ago, caught one of a huge size which he threw into 

 his canoe, and it attacked him so furiously therein that he 

 was obliged to leap into the water. The reptile followed, 

 and thus made its escape. Its bite is severe and dangerous. 

 Two species of fresh-water tortoise inhabit (p. 145) the 

 island ; namely, the painted tortoise, Emys picta or Testudo 

 picta, and the streaked tortoise, Emys virgulata. * * * 



