1870.] 17 [Knight. 



to be many thousands within the space of two or three acres, cov- 

 ering every log and stump and hummock almost as thickly as 

 shingles lie upon a roof. 



The Emys Florid an a [Ptychemys concinna Agass.] is found in 

 brackish waters near the Gulf. It has upon its fore feet three claws 

 of ordinary length, and two of an enormous development; they 

 being often found nearly three inches long. The reason of this 

 elongation was not apparent, until by close observation from a boat 

 at the mouth of the river Wakulla, the speaker saw two turtles of 

 this species, thrusting these long claws into the holes made by some 

 worm, with which the hard clay bottom of the stream was every- 

 where perforated. The transfixed worms were probably the common 

 food of this turtle. 



The Chelonia Mydas (common green turtle) is said by the turtle- 

 fishers to enter the creeks which abound on that coast, and having 

 eaten its fill of the sea-grass growing there, to roll together masses 

 of it, of the size of a man's head, which it cements with the clay on 

 which the grass grows, and then when the turn of the tide takes it 

 out to sea, follows it, feeding upon it. When, therefore, the fishermen 

 find any of these balls floating down from a creek, they at once 

 spread a strong net across the mouth and almost always secure a 

 number of these turtles. 



After referring to the large size of the Loggerhead, Thalassochelys 

 caouana Agass., Mr. Knight called attention to the shell of an exceed- 

 ingly pretty little turtle which inhabits the deep, cold springs of 

 upper Florida, Thyrosternum Pennsylvanicum. When inhabited by 

 the living animal it is covered with a light green, hairy substance; 

 but whether of an animal or vegetable character he could not 

 decide. 



Mr. Knight closed his remarks by saying that this part of Florida, 

 near Tallahassee, with its high clay bluffs and its broad pine plains, 

 was an exceedingly rich field both for the zoologist and the archse- 

 ologist. 



Mr. Putnam remarked that Mr. Knight's communication 

 contained several important and interesting observations on 

 the habits of the several species of turtles on the table, and 

 much that had never been published. 



The habits of the young Gopher {Xerobates Carolinus), 

 as described by Mr. K., were interesting, as showing a marked 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. N. H.— VOL. XIV. 2 JUNE, 1871. 



