NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 153 



wants of at least three species of turtles of medium size. 

 With a wonderfully rich Chelonian fauna on the western 

 continent to provide for, there is little room to spare for 

 Old World forms, and the temptation to make this col- 

 lection strictly Occidental, is almost too great to be resisted 

 For the sake of brevity and clearness, only six types have 

 been chosen for special mention. 



The following species taken together fairly represent the 

 different forms of Chelonians, from the highest to the lowest: 



The Alligator Turtle, {Macrochelys lacertina), is the larg- 

 est fresh-water chelonian in North America. In form and 

 temper it resembles the common snapping turtle of the 

 North, and its home is in the Gulf States. The largest of 

 the two Louisiana specimens on exhibition weighs 115 

 pounds. 



The Snapping Turtle, (Chelydra serpentina), which is the 

 most courageous and pugnacious of all turtles, is rather 

 poorly protected by its shell, and must therefore fight for its 

 place in nature. 



The Painted Turtle, {Chrysemys picta), is a species of 

 wide and common distribution, and fairly representative of 

 the host of fresh water terrapins and turtles so common 

 throughout the United States in ponds and streams of all 

 sorts. 



The Soft-Shelled Turtle, (Aspidonectes ferox).— As to liv- 

 ing relatives, this strange genus seems apropos of nothing. 

 Like some of the marine turtles its shell is greatly reduced 

 in weight, so that it can float more readily ; instead of being 

 solid bone, it terminates in a wide, thin edge of cartilage, 

 which is so soft that when properly boiled it constitutes 

 palatable food. 



The Marine Turtles.— At the New York Aquarium, sit- 

 uated in Battery Park, and managed by the New Tork 

 Zoological Society, will be found a fine collection of such 

 large sea-turtles ' as the Loggerhead, Green Turtle and 

 Hawksbill, which require salt water. 



The Tortoise and Lizard Yards. — At the eastern end of the 

 Reptile House is a commodious glass-roofed hall, opening 

 into a series of sandy yards. This installation is occupied 

 by the collection of tortoises and the larger tropical lizards. 

 These reptiles do better in captivity, and show to best ad- 

 vantage, if given outdoor sunlight and plenty of room for 

 exercise. 



The Giant Tortoises are among the most interesting of 



