78 EMYS PICTA. 



nearest the middle being the larger; the posterior surface is dark, and mottled 

 with orange or red. The posterior extremities are black, both above and below, 

 but the dark colour is relieved by orange lines; one begins near the anus, and 

 runs along the posterior border of the thigh. The tail is dark above, and mottled 

 at its base with red spots; a short longitudinal yellow line runs along the inferior 

 surface, and a red line along the superior. The colours of this animal vary 

 greatly in degree; they are always brightest in the young. 



Dimensions. Length of shell, 6^ inches; greatest breadth, 4i inches; length of 

 sternum, 6 inches; elevation, 2^ inches. 



Habits. The Emys picta frequents ditches, ponds and pools, and is abundant 

 in rivers, where the waters are sluggish; it spends almost the Avholc day basking 

 in the sun on the banks of rivers, or on fallen trees or logs. It is very timid, and 

 escapes rapidly when disturbed. It hibernates early, and is the first to be seen 

 in spring. Its food is insects, tadpoles, young frogs, earth-worms, &c. It takes 

 the hook readily, and is on that account very troublesome to anglers. Its flesh is 

 sometimes eaten, but is not much esteemed. 



GEOGRAPmcAL DISTRIBUTION. The Emys picta has perhaps as wide a range as 

 any of the genus found in the United States. I have observed it along the 

 Atlantic border, from Maine to Georgia — south of this I have no evidence of 

 its existence. It is found in the north-western part of the country, as Dr. 

 Pickering informs me that Mr. W. Cooper has seen it at the Saute de St. 

 Marie, the outlet of Lake Superior. 



General Remarks. This animal was first described by Schneider, under the 

 name Emys picta, by which appellation it is now universally known to naturalists. 

 The colour and marks of this animal being too remarkable to allow it to be 

 confounded with any other, so is there less confusion in the synonymes than in 

 those of any other of our Emydes. 



