The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
PUZZLES THE BIOLOGIST
The Common Turtle and His
Anatomy a Subject for Study.


well-known naturalist was found in
his study in the National Museum by
Times reporter one day last week. gazing
earnestly at a SPRAYING turtle which he
gripped firmly with both hands. He was
saying something in an undertone which
the reporter failed to catch as he entered
the room.
What have you there?'' the naturalist
was asked
Young man. my professional repu.a-
ton and fortune would be made IL l
could answer that question" was the re-
ply. 1T is turtle, l know. You can
find any number of them in the swamps
and pools around Washington, but let me
tell you this turtle comes from a species
of animal which has bothered the biolo-
gist more than any other species in the
animal kingdom. This strange creature
is a reptile; in fact, one of the highest
orders OF reptiles. He has taken excep-
ton to the scheme of nature so far as his
bones are concerned and has planned out
a skeleton on his own hook which is not
only ingenious but extremely interesting
to the student of animal life. This crea-
ture has actually pushed his ribs outside
of his body and wears them over him
like sunshade or umbrella. All other
animals are, content to wear their ribs
inside their bodies. but not so the turtle,
and why he does not is what is puzzling
the brains of naturalists who have con-
sumed barrels of midnight oil in trying
to find out. He is a good deal like a man
on hot day In summer, whose disc0m-
fort prompts him to doff his coat, vest,
collar, and finally his suspenders Now
this turtle seems to have found his bones
uncomfortable and he has not only shifted
them around to suit his tastes but has
actually sought to get rid of some of his
bones as unnecessary membranes"
NOW wouldn't that jar your" skepti-
eally said The Times man.
Come now, don't be frivolous said
his friend reproyingly. This Is serious
matter. 1t is question OF tremendous
biological Importance. Not satisfied with
turning his ribs out of DOORS so to speak
the turtle has pulled his shoulder blades
inside his ribs and, to all intents and pur-
poses, hinges his legs and neck to the
under surface of his upper shell. He and
the snake are the only creatures who
can successfully travel on their shape,
for the shell of the turtle is. in fact, a
part of the creatures anaton-- not SIM
ply sheii-covering like that of an oys-
Ter or clam, but a component part of him
He sleeps within himself. He takes up
his bed and walks whenever he starts
out on q journey.
-NOWs the puzzle is now uld ne DO liz
What were the causes within and with
out which brought about such radical
departure from the general scheme of
bony framework which nature has select
ed as the one best adapted to the needs
of the higher order of animal life? Even
his skin has changed All the reptiles have
scales on their skin. These are for pro-
lection, but the scales of the turtle have
become practically bones which have
grown to the ribs on the outside and
formed with them a solid shell which
almost completely envelcps him.
ping turtle Looking at the inside. you
VIII see the ribs very clearly outlined, but
welded together into what appears a solid
mass of bone. At first glance it looks as
if the ribs themselves had expanded into
fiattened blades like the blade of an oar
But II you look closer you will perceive
that such is not the case. for there is a
clearly defined line of demarcatiou in
which the ribs are seen to be no more
broadened than one would expect to find
in an animal of such a high order as the
turtle. Now, as a matter of fact, the
ribs have not expanded, but the scales on
the skin have thickened and broadened
until solid covering of scale plates, sup
ported, in part. by the ribs as a sort of
framework. has been welded into shell
through which his legs. head, and tail
tie lives within himself. He is always at
home. How ne ever got his shoulder
blades inside of his ribs no one knows
Every animal has them outside The tur-
tie is the despair of the naturalist.
With only an exception here and there,
biologists are agreed that external en-
vironment is the initial influence which
sets in motion forces within animals
which produce variations in form and
structure. There is no doubt in my mind
that external changed environment is and
always has been the cause which gave
origin to the various species of both ami
nnais and plants.
There seems to be a principle in animal
and plant life of adaptation to external
environment which is inherent. This
lies dormant and inactive within
the body of the animal or plant until some
changed condition in the outward sur
roundings has taken place, such, for ex-
ample. as climate moisture or dryness,
food, both as to quantity and quality,
mode of life, and so forth When nature
created matter inanimate and animate,
she established certain laws to control 1t.
Evidence is all around us that the process
of creating is still going on Old forms
are modifying and new ones are develop
ing Just as they always have been doing.
All this is due to changing environment
Now, it is obvious that law of nature
cannot be broken to satisfy the needs of
a certain kind or species of life already
created.
When an animal is created IL is made
to best fit the conditions which surround
il at the time; that is, its form and
nature are made especially adapted to the
environment Now. suppose. in obedience
to some law of creation, a change should
take place in the external surroundings.
That change must of necessity be un-
favorable to the well being of this animal.
more favorable locality where the former
external conditions still prevail or eventu-
ally perish and become extinct
Now, nature did not create species
to live one day and die the
next. When she made that animal II
was for definite purpose. That animal
was created to do its part in furthering
some great plan or end TO which all crea-
TO he frnor ffrsrrf rrcit~
Nature abhors total humiliation when
there is no need for it. So. in order TO
save the animal. since she cannot break
a law to aid it, she creates a new law and
places it. so to speak, within the animal
itself. This is the law of adaptation to
external environment by which, If changes
take place around the creature, this law
makes changes in him; changes which
will adapt him to the altered conditions
In which he now finds himself. These
changes in the animal will go on to an
extent as to form an entirely new species
which does not resemble his former type
N the least. Old organs which played an
essential part in keeping our animal alive
md hearty will eventually disappear and
be supDlanted by new structures. which
10 the work necessitated by the changed
in which he now lives.
Radical changes in animal structure
md form are more apt to be found in n
hanged environment. In those animals
which can move rapidly to more favor
lble environments changes in structure
ire not so marked. To the former group
his turtle belongs. Evidently his ances-
ors could not get away from their sur
and had to be changed to suit
new conditions. The new environment
must have been relentless in its demands
or modification. for the change that has
aiken place in the turtle mas been Il ro-
ound one. 1t has fairly taken his bones
nut of his body. 1t was so inimical to
MS substance as to necessitate hard,
lf COVERING for his hDdV
lust what those changes Were which
the ancestors of this turtle.
md when they existed. and what changes
n the earth's surface precipitatcd them,