SNAPPINa TURTLE. 657 



ooBtals rery large, nearly qnadrilateral, the lower edge rounded, the first costal largest, 

 almost triangalar ; marginal plates twenty-fonr or twenty-five ; of sternal shields, 

 the abdominal much the largest. Length of carapas, 1 foot ; length of head and neck, 7 

 inches ; height of carapax 4 inches, 



Habitat, Ecuador, Florida and Loaisiana ; north to Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, 

 Canada and Maine. 



This species is not only common ia all parts of the State, but is 

 frequently met with throughout its whole range. It is usually known as 

 the Snapping Turtle, though called also Land Turtle, Snake, and Ser- 

 rated Tortoise in the north, and Loggerhead and Alligator Terrapin 

 in the south. 



It is a ferocious animal ; when annoyed it throws itself into an attitude 

 of defence, snaps violently with its mandibles inflicting a severe wound, 

 and will not let go its hold even after the cutting off of its head. They 

 live in ponds and muddy streams, but are occasionally found at a dis- 

 tance from water. Oviposition occurs the latter part of June, a hole 

 being scooped out in the sand, and from sixty to seventy elliptical eggs 

 deposited therein. These eggs as well as the turtles, are by some esteemed 

 a luxury for food, in fact the writer has known persons to keep the ani- 

 mals for a long time in a barrel with dish water, sour milk, and refuse 

 from the table generally, in order to fatten and prepare them for use. 

 The young are considered preferable. In advanced life the meat 

 becomes rank, and at times emits a musky odor, rendering it unpalatable. 

 Those found around Ann Arbor, Michigan, have a large number of fresh 

 water alga growing upon their carapax. 



This species is well marked, being characterized by its powerfully 

 hooked jaws, its spinous caudal crest and small crucifjrm plastron com- 

 posed of twelve plates. The only species with which it can be con- 

 founded is Macrochelyslacerlina, which probably is not found in the State. 



FAMILY EMYDID^. POND TURTLES. 



Head, neck, and feet moderate, the latter more or less palmate ; mandibles horny, 

 the upper not hooked ; carapax oval or oblong, broadest posteriorly, usually depressed, 

 but highest medially, and composed of hard osseous plates, never soft aud leathery ; 

 eternal shields twelve, usually soldered immovably together and to the carapax, form- 

 ing a large, oval or oblong plastron ; knees and elbows not slipping in naked among 

 the viscera; animals living for the most part in marshes, and in or along the edges of 

 ponds, pools, and streams ; young living almost exclusively in water, much more so than 

 the adult. 



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