TURTLES AND TORTOISES 19 



clamber on their favorite roosts for another sun-bath. 

 Omnivorous in their feeding, they chase small fishes, 

 tadpoles, frogs and the larvge of aquatic insects; the 

 tender shoots of water plants are also eaten. 



Among the larger species of Chrysemys we note a 

 tendency of the shell to be higher, besides deeply fur- 

 rowed with numerous parallel grooves. The greater 

 number of the larger terrapins inhabit the southeastern 

 portion of the United States. In the markets, where 

 they are kept in cold vats to keep them from running 

 down in flesh, they are to be seen in large numbers; 

 here a mixture of species may often be observed, yet 

 commercially they are considered under a general title — 

 Slider Terrapins. This is supposed to distinguish them 

 from the more valuable Diamond-Back Terrapin. A 

 "Slider" weighing three or four pounds will bring from 

 seventy-five cents to one dollar in the eastern markets 

 during the proper season — the fall and winter months. 



Of these large si^ecies, Troost's Terrapin, C. troosti, 

 may be commonly seen. Owing to its somber coloration 

 it is unique among the members of its genus. The 

 carapace is flattened, smooth and of a dull olive, irreg- 

 ularly blotched with black. On most individuals the 

 head and neck are uniform blackish, which absence of 

 bright stripes is an important point to be considered 

 in identification. An adult shell is from eight to ten 

 inches long and three inches high; a nine-inch example 

 will weigh S-^ pounds. Troost's Terrapin is found in 

 Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. 



Like all of the terrapins, the preceding species grows 

 very long claws; on frequent male individuals these are 

 three-quarters of an inch long and terminate in such 

 sharp points that a vigorously kicking animal requires 

 some care in handling. Moreover, these reptiles are not 



