SMALL MUD TORTdlSE. 
closely together in re/£tilinear jundlures, yet so 
as to lap over a little, like armour. The un- 
der, or belly shell, consists of three compart- 
ments, joined together by two strong cartilagi- 
nous or tendinous membranes, which admit of 
the belly's contra6ling, or dilating, a little. 
The back and belly shells are held together in 
the groove of a circular rim, running all round 
their edges, and most curiously composed of 
twenty-three several divisions or joints. The 
feet are armed, each, with five claws : and the 
tail with a sharp horny substance, probably 
for annoying an aggressor; whence," con- 
cludes Mr. Collinson, I chuse to call it, 
Testudo Pennsylvania Cauda Cornu armata. 
It's chief food is insedls and grass roots." 
This account, in general, agrees sufficiently 
with that of Edwards ; and, in most instances, 
is minutely exail : but the very important dis- 
tinction, between the number of claws, on the 
fore and hind feet, seems to have escaped Air. 
Collinson. It was this, probably, which gave 
rise to the &c." of Edwards; where he 
says, above, ** a very incorre6l figure, &;c. of 
it is given.'* Not chusing to speak more 
plainly, 
