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Reptiles of Massackusetts. 15 
tion of his toes. The sternal plates, twelve in num- 
ber, are yellow, with large quadrangular dark spots, 
occupying nearly one half of each plate; the plates 
are marked with concentric stris. 
The head is nearly black, with yellowish spots. 
The upper jaw is of a dark brown color, with trans- 
verse yellowish lines; the lower jaw is of a bright 
yellow. The anterior extremities are protected by 
large imbricated scales in front, with smaller ones 
beneath, and granulations behind; there are five 
fingers, which are palmated, with nails. The pos- 
terior extremities are larger than the anterior, of the 
same color, and, like them, having scales and granu- 
lations ; these extremities are flattened upon the leg 
and foot, with 5 toes; the posterior only destitute of 
a nail. 'Tail cylindrical, gradually tapering to a 
point. E 
In regard to this species, Dr. Holbrook, in the 
third volume of his Herpetology, which is just pub- 
lished, observes: ‘“ The sole locality that can at this | 
moment be assigned to the Emys Blandingii, is the 
prairies in the state of Tllinois and the territory of 
Wisconsin, where they are said to be abundant. 
The only specimen I have seen came from Fox 
river, à tributary of the Illinois." 
.SSprHanmaris. Merrem. 
Generic characters. Body covered by a leathery 
skin, tubercular in the young, perfectly smooth in 
the adult. Feet without nails. 
