THE 
SNAKE TORTOISE. 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Body defended by a bony covering coated by a 
horny, scaly, or coriaceous integument. 
Mouth without distinct or proper teeth ; the 
upper mandible closing over the lower, 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, l^c. 
Tortoise with ovate, depressed, triply cari- 
nated, sharp-scaled shell, rounded and 
acutely serrated at the posterior margin. 
Snake Tortoise. 
Gen. ZooL 3. p. 72, 
Serrated Tortoise. 
Penn. Arct. ZooL suppL -p.QJ. 
This species is a native of many parts both of North 
and South Ameiica, inliabiting stagnant waters, grow- 
ing to the we'ght of twenty pounds or more, and prey- 
ing on 6sh and various other aquatic animals. Its ge- 
neral colour is a dull cliesnut brown, lighter or paler 
b^neathu * 
