28 



This is apparently the only turtle (excepting the few 

 really marine species) which frequents salt water. It is 

 much sought for and highly valued as a delicacy, and is 

 now systematically raised for market, since the wild animal 

 is becoming scarce. The diamond-back is a slow breeder, 

 laying only five to seven eggs about the beginning of July. 

 It is occasionally found on the shores of Long and Stateii 

 Islands and New Jersey. 



Pseudemys rugosa {Shaw). 



Red-bellied Terrapin. Slider. 



Alveolar surface of upper jaw divided by a longitudinal 

 tuberculated ridge parallel to its margin ; jaws serrate, tip 

 of upper with a hook ; carapace hardly keeled, depressed ; 

 toes short, webbed. In coloration it is an exceedingly 

 variable species ; dusky or blackish with irregular red 

 markings above and along rim of shell ; plastron red or 

 yellowish with dusky shades ; head and neck brown with 

 yellow or red lines. Length, eleven inches. 



This turtle occurs in the Chesapeake and Delaware 

 drainages. De Kay 1 speaks of it from near New York City. 

 I have not found it. Holbrook 2 says it is generally met 

 with in running water, preferably that with rocky bed. 

 The slider is much used as a substitute for the real dia- 

 mond-back terrapin, now that the latter turtle is becoming 

 scarce. 



Chrysemys picta (Herm.). 

 Painted Turtle. Mud Turtle. 



Alveolar surface of jaws narrow, the groove well marked, 

 except in front ; carapace depressed, never keeled ; toes 

 webbed ; upper jaw notched in front. The young are or- 

 bicular in shape. Color greenish or brownish black, mar- 

 gin of plates paler, with sometimes a little red, marginal 



i Op. cit. 

 2 Op cit. 



