CLASS III. EEPTILIA: ORDER 1. CHELONIA. 
361 
THE SNAPPING TURTLE. 
aquatic reptiles, by suddenly darting forth its long neck. The average length of this species is 
nine inches, including the head and tail. 
Other American species are the T. muticus, found in the Ohio River ; the T. Bartrami and 
T. Harlani, both found in East Florida. 
The Egyptian Tortoise, T. JVilotims, is said to destroy great numbers of young alligators. 
Genus CHELONURA : Chelonura. — This includes the well-known Snapping-Turtle, C. ser- 
pentina^ common throughout the United States. The length of the shell is nine inches ; total length 
fifteen : this species is, however, often much larger ; Holbrook mentions one four feet long. It in- 
habits alike clear and muddy, but gener- 
ally deep waters ; lays its eggs in a hole 
which it scoops out in the sand; feeds on 
frogs and fishes, and snaps greedily at 
the legs of ducks in a pond, dragging 
them under the water to be devoured 
at leisure. Its propensity to snap at 
every thing within its reach has given 
it its common popular name ; it is 
sometimes called Loggerhead, Alliga- 
tor-Turtle., and Couta. The eggs, as 
well as the flesh, are excellent food, though the old tortoises are rather musky. The head is large, 
but can be drawn under the shell ; the tail is long, scaly, and pointed ; the fore-legs are large and 
warty ; the shell is deep ash-color. Another species, the C. Temminckii, is found in Mississippi. 
THE CHELYDID^. 
This family presents a general resemblance to the preceding ; the head and neck are capable of 
being retracted to some extent beneath the carapace, which is covered with horny shields. The 
head is broad and depressed, and the nose usually prolonged into a proboscis. Like the soft turtles, 
they live in the ponds, lakes, and rivers of Avarm climates, where they feed principally on fish. 
Genus CHELYS : Chelys. — This includes the Matamata Tortoise, C. Matamata, of South 
America, common in Guiana, and sometimes attaining seventy pounds weight. During the 
night, and when they believe themselves to be secure from danger, they come to repose on the 
islets, the rocks, the fallen 
trunks of trees upon the banks, 
or floating timber, whence 
they precipitate themselves in- 
to the water at the sight of man, 
or at the least alarming noise. 
They are very voracious and 
agile, and pursue their prey as 
they swim, consisting of rep- 
tiles, more especially young 
crocodiles and also fishes. On the neck and head there are several membraneous lobes, which 
give them a hideous appearance. Their flesh being esteemed, they are angled for with a hook and 
line, baited with small fish or living animals, or with a dead bait, to which the angler gives motion 
and apparent life ; for they are said never to approach a dead and immovable prey. When they 
would seize their food or defend themselves, they dart out their head and long neck with the 
rapidity of an arrow. They bite sharply with their trenchant beak, and do not let go till they 
have taken the piece out on which they have seized ; so that their bite is much dreaded, and the 
fishermen generally cut off" their heads as soon as they have caught them. 
THE EMYDIDJE. 
This is a very extensive family, generally distributed over the globe. The carapace is 
completely ossified, and its bones united by sutures ; the jaws are horny, and destitute of lips, 
Vol. IL— 46. 
THE MATAMATA TOETOISE. 
