Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-17
THE TERRAPIN AND IT'S HABITS.

from the infection of the consequent talk.
THE TERRAPN AND IT'S HABITS
THE TOoTHsOME PRODUCT OF MARYLAND WATERS
"A LONG SEASON OF FAsTING-THE SLIDER
AND SNAPPER TURTL Es-How TERRAPINs
ARE DISTINGUISHED FROM THEIR LESS ARIsTO-
CRATIC KINsMEN.
The terrapin season is over. The term sea-
son In connection with the diamond backs
means exactly what it does in relation to
oysters-the period when they are fit for table
use. From the stand point of the terrapin the
season Is just beginning. Ever since last No
vember the terrapin has been snoozing away in
the depths of some mud bank, and it has only
been within the last few weeks that he has be-
come conscious of a stomach. The warm
weather has stimulating effect, and the dia-
mOnd back arouses himself from his winters
nap and proceeds to crafty the cravings of ap-
petite or course, there are some that have
been found during the past season near the
shore, where they came to deposit their eggs,
and have been caught and placed in enclosures
along the shore. These unfortunates, instead
OF spending the winter in mud bank are sold
to some caterer and spend the winter with q
number of companions rolled up in sea moss.
When they are kept in cool, dry place they
pass
THE ENTIRE WINTER
without eating or drinking. and if food or drink
is placed within their reach they will not touch
it. About the LIST Of June, however, they begin
to feel the desire for something to eat. A ca
terer who keeps large stock on hand told a
STAR reporter that he had a few left over, and
last week he placed q soft crab near a terrapin
The hungry diam0nd-back at once thrust out q
claw, seized the crab, and began to tear it to
pieces with its mouth When water was placed
near him he began to drink. The pronOun above
used is probably incorrect, as the animal de-
scribed was large one and the males are, as a
rule, small, while the females attain q great
size. The terrapin, as an article of food, has
greatly increased in popularity, and in conse-
preciated. A few years ago terrapin could be
purchased in this city for dollar, and now they
cost two or three.
THE PRESENT MARKET VALUE
ranges from SIS to $50 per dozen, according to
the size and quality. The terrapin is known as
the Maryland bird, and is chiefly found at the
mouth of the Potomac and at the various inlets of
the Chesapeake bay. They are also found along
the coast of North Carolina but not in such
numbers. Their value as an article Of table diet
was not at once recognized, and but little was
known OF terrapin soup and terrapin stew until
late in the present century. Owing to their
habits of feeding, they are found only at the
confluence of salt and fresh water, and when
they come to the shores to lay their eggs in the
warm sand to be Matched, the terrapin hunters
seize them and place them in enclosures built
In the water, where they are kept until they are
sold. They are
THE DELIGHT OF THE EPICURE
and deservedly 80. Their flesh is white and
sweet, and the entire animal can be used with
the exception Of the shell. the claws, and the
gall bladder. If the latter happens to be
broken in dressing the terrapin, the flesh be-
comes spoiled and has to be thrown away A
Well-knOwn caterer was asked if there was no
means of making the flesh palatable after such
an accident. He smiled quietly and replied, 81
don't know Of any," The variety of WAYS in
which the flesh of the terrapin can be served is
known to all lovers of good living. The soup is
the most common, but steak Is said to be prime
eating. At any rate the caterer always has a
good word to say for the terrapin, and he is
sorry when the season Is over. Just now they
are engaged beneath the placid waves Of the
Potomac in breaking the long winter fast and
making up for lost time. Later in the season
the hunters will begin to fill up their stock
yards, as it were, and get together supply for
the
DINNERS AND LUNcHEoNs
to regale the Congressman and his friends next
winter. In November Lent begins with the ter
rapin, or, more properly speaking a total alb
stinence from food and drink The terrapins
for half the year can s'see" the temperance peo-
pie and 90 them one better
The unwary purchaser, unless he had his wis
dom teeth cut might buy the ordinary turtle or
''sder," as they are commonly called, under the
deusiOn that it was toothsome terrapin In
appearance they are very much alike and differ
to the external eye only in the marks on the
back. The slider has mark straight down the
shell and one across In the form of cross, while
the terrapin has sort OF scallOped border run
around the shell diamond shaped-henee the
name diamond back" There is another men,
Der Of the turtle family that is found in this To-
cality and that is
THE SNAPPER
This turtle lives on land and water. and is ex-
tremely fond Of grasping things In his mouth,
and holding on with frmness and fortitude that
would be an example to the ancient Spartans
This habit gives rise to a good many singular in
cidents. 1t is said that in the swamps along the
lower part Of the river and bay where these are
found In great numbers, that it is not I'M
frequent for them to catch crows The birds
fly down in the swamp to feed, and the snapper
when he gets good chance grabs hold Of leg.
When he gets ahold he never lets go. The bird
fops it's wings, shrieks and makes great ado.
while the snapper, presumably, because he has
his mouth full
NEVER SAYS WORD,
but just hangs on. The outcry of the crow at
tracts the attention Of the negroes who live
around, and they, knowing what it means. at
once exclaims, "Thar's snapper" and start off
to bag their game. They are guided to the
spot by the crow, and easily make the capture
of the snapper; all of which illustrates the old
saw of ''the bitter bitten The flesh of the
snapper when fat makes very good kind of
soup. and so the crow is held in high reverence
by the colored people. and when they see lame
crow they regard his iniirmity in much the same
way as patriotic. and grateful people the
wounds of battie-scarred veteran.
The business of dealing in terrapins is quitean
extensive one in this city, and is growing in pro-
portions each year. The terrapin hunters, how
ever. live along the lower part of the river and
the terrapin is handled by niddlemen.
HoAxISG THE D0eroRs. Of our phy-
sictans have been recently called on aiools
errands' by bogus messages written upon the
states at their Offices TarOugh these bogus mes
sageS some doctors have beer called from one
end OF the city to another only to find that they
have been dupel This deception seems to have
been pract.ced on some OF the South Washington
physicians first. ard tohaye spread to the Capitol
Hill and up town docters. Measures are hetng
taken 20 discover the Offenders and It Is now BE-
ieved that clue has been found TO at least one OF
the Offenders