4o . proc:e:edings mancheste;r institute 



and in turn has but a single species, C. serpentina, lyinnseus. 

 This is the largest of our turtles. It attains a length of two feet 

 or more and specimens weighing fifty pounds have been report- 

 ed. The carapace is brownish black and usually supports more 

 or less plant life. A row of slight projections along the back, 

 in the young, shows an attempt of the vertebrae to be visible. 

 This disappears with age. The more prominent row on the tail 

 has been mentioned. The plastron is yellow. This species is 

 rarely seen on land except when the females are ready for egg-lay- 

 ing. The eggs are spherical and about an inch in diameter. 

 It is variously known as Black, Mud and Snapping Turtle. The 

 meat is highly esteemed by many. 



II. Family Kinosteriiklse. 



In this family the carapace is somewhat long and narrow. 

 The highest point is back of the middle. The plastron, in our 

 only species, is proportionally small, the anterior portion being 

 hinged. The anterior pair of horny plates coalesce. The head 

 is comparatively large and pointed. 



2. Aromoclielys. Gray. 



- This is the only genus of this family and also contains but one 

 species, A. odoratus, Latreille. This is the smallest turtle in 

 the state, attaining a maximum length of about six inches, in- 

 cluding head and tail. It is called Musk Turtle because of its 

 odor, according to all authorities, but in this vicinity it is as near- 

 ly odorless as any member of the order. The carapace i-s dark 

 brown with sometimes an olive tint that shows when the shell 

 has been cleaned of the moss that is usually found upon it. On 

 each side of the head are two prominent 3^ellow stripes. This 

 species is common though not so abundant as the next three. 

 The eggs are nearly twice as long as thick and have very heavy 

 shells. 



III. Family Emydidfie. 



The representatives of this family have an ovate carapace. 



