154 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



The Snapping Turtle is regularl.v seen in spring in the markets of Washington, dressed for 

 cooking, that is, having the under part of the shell and the entrails removed. The eggs of both 

 species are comparatively small, but delicate, and are eaten in many localities. They may be 

 found by probing in the sand with a small rod, in places indicated by the tracks of the animal. 



A large proportion of the commercial supply of the Snapping Turtle, as the observations of 

 Capt. J. W. Collins show, is derived from Delaware. 



Storer remarks that in many localities in the interior of Massachusetts the oil of the Snax)ping 

 Turtle is carefully preserved on account of its supposed curative properties for bruises and strains, 

 when externally applied.' The carapace is used by the Indians as a rattle and ornament. 



40. THE MUSK TORTOISES. 



Charactbeistics of the Musk Tortoises. — It is perhaps scarcely necessary to mention 

 the Musk Tortoises, or Cinosternidce, in this connection. They are of small size, and possess a 

 very strong and rank scent of musk, which makes them entirely unavailable as a source of food 

 supply. Indeed, the exceeding rankness of the odor of one species, Aromochelys odorata, has 

 gained for it the very expressive appellation of "Stink-pot." They are very troublesome to fisher- 

 men, in placid waters, often swallowing the bait so quietly as to produce no agitation of the float, 

 so that their presence for some time is unperceived. They are often seen devouring dead and 

 decaying animals in streams, and therefore undoubtedly prove ef&cacious as scavengers. In fact, 

 it has been Surmised that one cause of the prevalence of yellow fever in the Southern States is to 

 be found in the wholesale destruction of various Tortoises which feed on the refuse vegetable and 

 animal matter which collects in the rivers, some for food and others because supposedly obnoxious. 



Distribution.— Of the six species of Musk Tortoises inhabiting the United States, three are 

 found only in Arizona and the Sonoran region generally, one in the Southern States, except lower 

 Florida and Texas, and the remaining three in the Eastern and Southern States, and the central 

 States westward to the extremities of the tributaries of the Mississippi. 



41. THE FRESH -WATER TERRAPINS. 



Terrapins and Pond Tortoises. — In the group of Terrapins and Pond Tortoises are 

 comprised about one-half of all the Tortoises inhabiting the United States. The members of the 

 group vary greatly in habits and size and in other relations. Exclusive of the Marine Turtles, 

 they furnish the greater proportion of the reptilian food of the country. All the species are 

 available for food; that is to sny, none of them have disagreeable qualities such as the Musk 

 Tortoises, for instance, possess, but some are too small and others of too rare occurrence to 

 furnish any considerable supi)ly. 



The Emydidce of the United States have been divided among six genera,^ based on certain 

 differences of their structure, and since the division is a convenient one for the present purpose, 

 we will adoiJt it and treat of the species of each genus together. 



The Fresh-water Terrapins.— The habitat of the members of this group is decidedly 

 southern, for they are rarely seen north of the forty-tirst parallel of latitude. They live in moist 

 and marshy localities and in running water, their structure being well adapted for semi-aquatic 

 and aquatic life. Some are vegefable feeders, while others are carnivorous. The genus includes 

 seven North American species. Of these the most important is the "Red-bellied Terrapin," 

 Pseudemys rugosa. The animal is also known under the names "Potter," "Red-fender," and 



' Storbr: Report on the Fishes, Reptiles, ami Birrls of Massachusetts, 1839, p. 213. 

 ''Cope: Check-list nt North Amerii-an Uatvacliia aud Reptilia, 187.^, pp. ,52, 53. 



