THE BOX TORTOISES OF SOUTHEASTERN NORTH 

 AMERICA. 



C. S. BRIMLEY. 



The Box Tortoises (genus Terrapene Merrem 1820=Cistudo 

 Auctorum) comprise a group of six closely related forms, of 

 which one is known only from Mexico, while the other five 

 are found in the United States. 



The described forms are : 



1. Terrapene Carolina (L), 1758. 



2. Terrapene triungis (Ag), 1857. 



3. Terrapene mexicana (Gray), 1849. 



4. Terrapene ornata (Ag), 1857. 



5. Terrapene major (Ag), 1857. 



6. Terrapene baud (Taylor), 1895. 



The* characters of these species as given by W. E. Taylor 

 are as follows : 



I. Three digits on the hind foot. 



1. Zygomatic arch complete. Webs absent. Phalanges on 

 the fore foot, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2; hind foot, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1. Bauri. 



2. Zygomatic arch incomplete. Webs absent, (a) Number 

 of phalanges in the fore foot, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2; hind foot, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1. 

 Carapace tectiform Mexicana. (b) Number of phalanges in 

 the fore foot, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2; hind foot, 2. 3, 3, 2, 1. Carapace 

 not tectiform Triungis. 



II. Four digits on the hind foot. 



1. Zygomatic arch complete. Webs distinct. Phalanges 

 in the fore foot, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2; hind foot, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1. Major. 



2. Zygomatic arch rudimentary. Digits slightly webbed. 

 Phalanges in the fore foot, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2; hind foot, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2. 

 Carapace keeled. Carolina. 



3. Zygomatic arch absent. Phalanges in the fore foot, 



*The Box Tortoises of North America by W. E. Taylor, Proc. U. S. N. 

 M., Vol. XVII., pp. 573-588. 1895. 



