134 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



prominent in young specimens and decreases with age and con- 

 sequent wear of the shell. The color of the carapace is uniform 

 green or olive, although the edges of the plates are sometimes of 

 a slightly dififerent shade. The general color of the limbs, head, 

 neck and tail is pale gray, profusely spotted with black; the 

 plastron is yellow, lined and spotted with gray. 



The Diamond-back is the familiar market terrapin, and at 

 certain times of the year sells as high as $70 per dozen. It is 

 becoming rare in the north. Large specimens will measure ten 

 inches in length. This is the only species of local turtle (with 

 the exception of the Sea Turtles) that frequents salt water. 



Range: The Atlantic coast from New York to Florida. 



Local distribution: Salt marshes in the vicinity of Long 

 Island Sound, Staten Island and New Jersey. 



The Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta (Figs. 38 and 39), is one 

 of the most common of the local species and is easily recognized. 

 _ The general color above is dark olive or black, with 



Painted ^ 



Turtle. ^he margins of the shields of a paler shade. The 

 margin of the under side of the carapace is black, with 

 bright red markings; the plastron is yellow. Limbs, tail and 

 neck, black, lined with red ; head, lined with yellow. The shell 

 of this species is flat and smooth ; about five inches is the normal 

 length. 



Abundant in the vicinity of ponds, streams and marshes, 

 these turtles may be often seen on floating logs or the like, from 

 which they plunge quickly if alarmed. The food consists 

 principally of small fishes and insects. Captive specimens thrive 

 on raw chopped meat or fish. 



Range: North America from New Brunswick to Georgia. 



Local distribution: General and abundant. 



Muhlenberg's Turtle, Chelopus muhlenbergii (Figs. 40 and 41), 

 which somewhat resembles the Spotted Tw:t\Q{Chelopiis guttatns), 

 Muhlen- may be easily distinguished from the latter species 

 berg's by the brilliant orange spot on each side of the head. 



Turtle. 'pj^g carapace is dark brown or black, sometimes 

 marbled with light brown; the shields often show lighter mar- 

 gins. The shell is black beneath, blotched with yellow. The 

 spot on each side of the head is quite characteristic. It is 



