The Testudinata of Neisr Hampshire. 



BY WII.LIAM H. HUSE. 



The order Testudinata consists of reptiles with the body en- 

 closed by two bony shields, which, in the case of all the New 

 Hampshire turtles, are covered by hornlike plates. The cara- 

 pace, or upper shield, and the plastron, or lower shield, are us- 

 ually united by a bridge of bone. In two of our species they are 

 hinged. Into the bony box composed of the two shields the ex- 

 tremities are withdrawn in time of danger. The carapace con- 

 sists of the dorsal and sacral vertebrae, and the ribs, co-ossified 

 with overlying bony plates. There is usually a marginal row of 

 plates. 



Turtles have no teeth. The jaws are covered with horny 

 sheaths with sharp, cutting edges. The eye is furnished with 

 a nictitating membrane like birds in addition to two lids. The 

 tympanic membrane is covered by the skin-. They breathe by 

 swallowing air. 



There are seven species in New Hampshire, so far as known 

 at present. This is not a small number when the location is con- 

 sidered. The state is so far north that the climate is not attrac- 

 tive to the warmth-loving turtles. Two of the species have been 

 found as j^et in the southern part of the state only and possjbly 

 do not live beyond the northern limit of the Alleghanian prov- 

 ince. Specimens of all the species are in the museum of the In- 

 stitute. 



I. Family Chelydriclye. 



The members of this family have a large head and neck. The 

 jaws are powerful and much hooked. The body is heavier for- 

 ward. The tail is long with a crest of horny projections. The 

 plastron is small and cross shaped. 



1. Chelydra Schweigger. 

 This is the only genus of this family represented in the state 



