LONDON SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE NOT^TflJE^TAKlNAWAY. THE FAUNA OF BRITISH INDIA, INCLUDING CEYLON AND BUEMA. Published under tse autsoiiitt of tse Sechetary of State for India in Gouncil. edited by w. t. blanfobd. EEPTILIA and BATRACHIA. BY GEOKGE A. BOULENGER. LONDON: TAYLOR AND PEANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. CALCUTI^A : THACKEK, SPINK, & CO. BOMBAY: THACKEK & CO., LIMITED. BERLIN : K. FlUEDLANDER & SOIIN, U CARLSTBASSE. 1890. LONDON^SCHOOLOF TROPICAL MEDICINE NOT t'oIe TAKElTlwAy. PRINTED Br TAYLOR AND FRANCJB, REU LION COUKT, FLEET STHBET. PREFACE. Two classes of Vertebrata, the Reptiles and the Batrachiaris or Amphibians^ are described in this volume of the ' Fauna of British India/ These two classes have often been associated in zoological works, and were, by many writers, until recently, not regarded as distinct. The study of both is usually prosecuted by the same observers, and no practical advantage would result from publishing the descriptions of the two separately. Mr, Boulenger, to whom Indian naturalists are indebted for the present work, has already classified and described all known Crocodiles, Tortoises, Lizards, Chamseleons, and Batrachians in Catalogues of the British Museum that have appeared during the last eight years. Many of the characters of genera and species now published are taken from those Catalogues, but numerous additions have been made and several alterations have been inserted. Wherever the com- plete synonymy is given in the Catalogues it has been considered unnecessary, in the present work, to insert more than a reference to the original description of the species, to the page in the British Museum Catalogue where full details can be found, and to the general works on Indian Reptiles by Gunther and Theobald. iv PllKFACE. The classification of the Snakes^ which comprise nearly one half of the Reptilian species known to occur in India^ is new^ and all the descriptions of families^ genera^ and species have been prepared expressly for the present work. As there is no recent publication with a complete synonymy of the Ophidia, somewhat fuller references to the literature of the subject have been rendered necessary than in the other suborders of Reptiles and Batrachians. Two general works on Indian Reptiles have been published before the present volume. The first was ' The Reptiles of British India/ by Dr. A. Gunther^ which appeared in quarto and was issued by the Ray Society in 1864; and the second, an octavo ' Descriptive Catalogue of the Reptiles of British India/ by Mr. W. Theobald, published in 1876. In the first, which was founded on the earlier publications of Russell, Cantor, Gray, Blyth, Jerdon, Kelaart, and others, largely supplemented by the author's own researches, the Batrachia were included ; but both the Batrachia and the Hydrophiinae or marine snakes were omitted in Mr. Theobald's book, a great part of which was virtually an abridgment of Gtinther's, but with the numerous discoveries and observa- tions of Stoliczka, Beddome, Anderson, and of the author himself added to those of Giinther, many additions by the latter having been made after the publication of his large work on Indian Reptiles. In the present volume the principal additions have been due to the collections of Beddome in Southern India, Pea and Davison in Burma, and of Murray and the Editor of this work in Western India and Baluchistan. The limits of the fauna described in Giinther's ' Reptiles of British India ' were wider than those adopted in Theobald's work and in the present, and comprised all South-eastern Continental Asia. The area here accepted as that of the ' Fauna of British India ' has been defined in the Introduction to the Mammalia of the present series, and may be briefly PREFACE. V described as British India with Burma and all other depen- dencies, and with the addition of Ceylon— Balucliistan, Kash- mir, Ladak, and all Cis-Himalayan States being included, and Afghanistan, Tibet Proper, China, Siam, and the Malay Peninsula south of Tenasserim excluded. The following comparison of the number of species de- scribed, from within the limits adopted in the present work, in Giinther's ' Reptiles of British India with those enumerated in Theobald's Catalogue and in the present volume wiU serve roughly to indicate the additions to our knowledge of the Reptilia and Batrachia of India in the last quarter of a century. As already noticed, one subfamily of Snakes, the Hydrophiinse, was omitted by Theobald. Giintber, Theobald, Boulenger EEPTILIA. 1864. 1876. 1890. Emydosaukia (Crocodiles) .... . 4 4 3 Chelonia (Tortoises & Turtles) . 30 54 43 Squamata. Lacertilia (Lizards) , 95 173 225 Rhiptoglossa (Chamaeleons) . 1 1 1 Ojihidia (Snakes) , 180 225 264 310 457 536 BATRACHIA. EcAUDATA (Erogs and Toads) . , 37 124 Caxidata (Newts &c.) 0 1 Apoda (CiEcilians) 2 5 39 130 In cases where the numbers have been reduced the reduc- tion is due to the union of species formerly supposed to be distinct. The additions in the present volume are much more numerous than the preceding comparison indicates. By permission of the Trustees of the British Museum, through the kindness of Professor Plower and Dr. Giinthcr, vi PREFACE. several figures from the Catalogues o£ the National Collection prepared by Mr. Boulenger and from the Guide to the Reptile Gallery have been inserted in tlie present work. One cut lias also, by permission of the Zoological Society, been taken from its 'Proceedings.^ The Fishes, Eeptiles, and Batraehians of tlie ' Fauna of British India ' have now appeared, with one volume of Birds and half a volume of Mammals, leaving two volumes of Birds and half a volume of Mammals still in hand. July, 1890. W. T. BLANFORD. SYSTEMATIC INDEX. Page REPTILIA 1 Order I. EMYDOSAURIA.. . 1 Fam. I. Cbocodilid^ 2 1. Gavialis, Opp 3 1. gangeticus {G77i.) .... 3 2. Crocodiliis, Law. ...... 4 1. porosus, Sc/m 4 2. palustris, Less 5 Order 11.. OHELONIA .... 6 Subord. I. Thecophoba. 9 Superfam. A. Trionychoidea 9 Fam. I. TmoNYCHTD^ 9 1. Trionyx, Geofr 10 1. subplanus, Geoffr 11 2. gangeticus, Cuv 12 3; leithii, Gray 12 4. liiirum, Gray 13 5. formosLis, Gray 14 6. phayrii, Theob 14 7. cartilagineus {Bodd.) . 15 2. Pelochelys, Gray 15 1. cantoris, Grai/ 15 3. Chitra, Gray . .' 16 I. iudica, Gray 16 4. Emyda, Gray 16 1. granosa (Schoejyff) . . 17 2. vittata, Pi?/-5 17 3. sciitata, Ptrs 18 Superfam. B. CrjTptodira . . 18 Fam. II. Testudinid^e .... 18 1. Testudo, L 19 1. elougata, Blyth 20 2. leithii, Gthr "^1) 3. elegans, Schoepff .... 21 4. platynota, Blyth .... 22 5. emys, Schley. Sf Miill. 22 2. Geoemyda, Gray 23 1. ■ spinosa, Gray 25 2. grandis, Gray 25 3. depressa, Anders 25 3. Nicoria, Gray 26 1. trijuga () 420 2. lebetina (L.) 421 3. Echis, Me?-r 421 1. carinata (Schn.) .... 422 Subfam. II. C?-otali?ice 423 4. Aucistrodon, Beauv 423 1. bimalayanus (Gthr.) . 424 2. hypnale {Merr.) 424 5. Trimeresurus, Lacep 425 1. monticola, Gthr 426 2. strigatus, G?-ay 427 3. jerdonii, Gthr 427 4. mucrosquauiatus {Ca?it.) 428 5. cantoris (Blytli) 428 6. purpm-eomaculatus (Gray) 429 7. gramineus (Shaio) 429 8. anamallensis, Gthr. . . 430 9. trigonocepbalus (Daud.) 431 10. macrolepis, Bedd. .... 431 BATRACHIA 432 Order T. EOAUDATA 432 Suborder I. Phaneboglossa 433 Series A. Firmistemia 433 Fam. I. Kanicd 435 1. Oxyglossus, Tsch 436 1. lima {G?-avh.) 436 2. lajvis, Gthr 437 2. Eana, L 438 1. Iiexadact3']a, Xm 441 2. cyanophlyctis, Sch??. . . 442 3. corrugata, Pir« 443 4. kuhlii, D.^B 443 5. laticeps, Btr/r 444 6. khasiana (Andirs.) . . 444 7. Hebigii, 67/<7- 445 8. sternosignata, Murr. . 445 SYSTEMATIC INDTDX. XV 9. fete, Blffi- 446 10. andersonii, Blgr 447 n. Aon?&,Blgr 447 12. macrodon, D. ^- B. . . 448 13. verrucosa, Gth?- 448 14. tigriua, Daicd 449 15. limnocharis, Wiegm. . 450 16. rufescena (Jerd.) .... 451 17. breviceps, Sc/m 451 18. dobsouii. Big}- 452 19. strachani {Muir.) .... 452 20. leithii, Blgr 453 21. beddomii [Gthr.) .... 453 22. semipalmata, Blgi: . . 454 23. leptodactyla, Blgr. . . 454 24. diplosticta (Gthr.) . . 465 26. phrjnoderma, Blgr. . . 455 26. macrodactyla {Gthr.) . 455 27. gracilis, Gravh 456 28. malabarica, D.^B... 456 29. lateralis, ^/r/r 457 30. curtipes, Jerd 458 31. t;^tleri (Theob.) 458 32. nicobariensis (Stol.) . . 459 33. temporalis (Gthr.) . . 459 34. margariana {Anders.^) 459 35. humeralis, Bl(/r 460 36. erythrffia (Schleg.) . . 460 37. monticola (Ajiders.) . . 461 38. livida {Blyth) 462 39. latopalniata, Blgr 462 40. bimalayana, Blgr 463 41. formosa 463 3. Micrixalus, Blgr 464 1. saxicola (Jerd.) 465 2. sarasinorum (J^. ilf 465 3. opisthorbodus (Gthr.) 465 4. fuscus (Blgr.) 466 5. silvaticLis (Blgr.) .... 466 4, Nyctibatracbus, Blgr. . . 467 1. pygmteus {Gthr.). . . . 467 2. major, Blgr 468 o. Nannobatracluis, Blgr. . . 468 1. beddomii, Blgr 468 6. Nannopbrys, Gthr 469 1. ceylonensis, Gthr. . . 469 2. gnentberi, Blgr 469 7. Rhacopborus, Kuhl .... 470 1. maximus, Gthr 472 2. bimaculatus, Blgr. . . 472 3. malabaricus, Jerd. . . . 473 4. beddomii, S/i/r 473 6. lateralis, Blgr 473 6. tuberculatus {A7iders.) 474 7. leuconiystax (Gravh.). 474 8. macidatua (Gray). . . . 475 •9. criiciger (Blyth) 476 10. eques (Gthr.) 476 11. nasutus {Gthr.) 477 12. reticiUatua (Gthr.) . . 477 13. dubiiis, Blgr 477 14. nmus (Gthr.) 478 16. jerdonii (Gthr.) 478 16. pleurostictus (Gthr.) . 479 17. microtympainim (Gthr.) 479 18. stietomerus (Gthr.) . 480 19. fergusouii, Blyr 480 20. cavirostris (Gthr.) . . 481 8. Ixalus, I). Sf B. 481 1. oxyrbyncbus, Gthr. . . 482 2. leiicorbinus, Mart. . . 483 3. scbmardanus (Kel.) . . 483 4. nasutus, Gthr 484 5. bypomelas, Gthr 484 6. vittatus, Blgr 485 7. pulcber, Blgr 485 8. femoralis, Gthr 485 9. beddomii, Gthr 486 10. adspersus, Gthr 486 11. variabilis, Gthr 487 12. signatus, Blgr 487 13. flaviventris, ^Zc/r 487 14. cbalazodes, Gthr 488 15. ' glandidosus, Jerd. . . . 488 Fam. II. Engystomatid^ . . 489 1. Melanobatracbus, Bedd. . 489 1. indicus, Bedd 489 2. Calopbryims, Tseh 490 1 . pleurostigma, Zsc/i. .. 490 3. Microbyla, Tsch 491 1. rubra (Jerd.) 491 2. ornata (D. Sf B.) .... 491 3. berdmorii (Blyth) 492 4. Oallula, Gray 493 1. obscura, Gthr 493 2. pulcbra. Gray 494 3. macrodactyla, Blgr. . . 494 4. variegata, Stol. 494 5. triangularis, Gthr. . . 495 5. Oacopus, Gthr 495 1. systoma (&7m.) 496 2. globulosus, G^f/)r 497 (). Glypboglossus, Gthr 497 1. molossus, Gthr 497 Fam. III. DYScoPHiDiE 498 1. Calluella, 5^0^ ^198 1. guttulata (Blyth) 498 XVI Si'STBMATIC INDEX. Page Series B. Arcifera 499 Fam. IV. BuPONiD^ 499 1. Nectophryne, Buohh. Sf Ptrs 500 1. tuberculosa {Gthr.) . . 500 2. Bufo,Laur 600 1. pulclier, Blffr 501 2. kelaartii, Gt/ir 502 3. hololius, Gthr 502 4. macrotis, Blffr 502 5. beddomii, Gthr 503 6. latastii, Blpr 503 7. viridia, Zaur 504 8. andersonii, Blffr 504 9. olivaceus, Bla7if. .... 504 10. himalayauus, Gthr. . . 505 11. microtyrupanum, Blffr. 505 12. melanostictus, Schn. . . 505 13. parietalis, Blgr 507 14. biporcatus, Gravh 507 15. asper, Gravh 507 3. Cophophryne, Blffr 508 1. sikkimensis (Blyth) . . 508 Fam. V. HYLiDiE 509 1. Hyla, Laur 509 1. annectena (Jerd.) .... 609 Page Fain. VI.PELOBATIDiE 610 1. Leptobrachium, Tsch 610 1. monticola {Gthr.) .... 510 2. hasseltii, Tsch 511 3. carinense, Blgr 611 4. fese, Blffr 612 Order II. GAUD ATA 513 Fam. I. Salamandbid^ .... 513 1. TylototritoD, Anders 513 1. verrucosus, Atidms. . . 614 Order III. APODA 516 Fam. I. CiEcrLirD^ 516 1. Icbthyopbis, Fitz 515 1. glutinosus (i.) 615 2. monochrous (Blkr.) . . 517 2. Ur3eotjT)hlus, Ptrs 517 1. oxyurus {D. 8f B.) .. 517 2. malabaricus (Bedd.) . . 518 3. Gegenophis, Ptis 618 1. carnosus (Bedd.) .... 518 LIST OP THE PRINCIPAL WORKS QUOTED IN THE SYNONYMY. A. M. N. H. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. London, 1838-1889. Anders. An. Zool. Res. Anatomical and Zoological Eesearches, comprisinir au Account of the Zoological Eesults of the two Expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1868 and 1875. By JohnAnderson. London, 1879. Blanf. E. Pers. Eastern Persia, an Account of the Journeys of the Persian Boundary Commission, 1870-71-72.— Vol. II. The Zoology and Geoloffv By W. T. Blanford. London, 1876. Boiileng. Cat. Batr. Grad. See. Catalogue of the Batrachia Gradientia 8. Caudata and Batrachia Apoda in the Collection of tlie British Museum. 2nd Edition. By G. A. Boulenger. London, 1882. Bouleng. Cat. Batr. Sal. Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the Collection of the British Museum. 2nd Edition. By G. A. Boulenger London, 1882. Boiileng. Cat.Chelon. &c. Catalogue of the Chelonians, Ehynchocephalians, and Crocodiles in the British Museum. New Edition, by G. A. Boulenger London, 1889. Bouleng. Cat. Liz. Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum. 2nd Edition, by G. A. Boulenger. 3 vols. London, 1885-1887. Daud. Rept. Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles. By F, M. Daudin. 8 vols. Paris, 1802-1803. Dura. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. Erpetologie Gen6rale ou Histoire natureUe complete des Eeptiles. By A. M. 0. Dumeril et G. Bibron. 9 vols. Paris, 1834-1854. Fayrer, Thanatoph. The Thanatophidia of India, being a Description of the Venomous Snakes of the Indian Peninsula, with an account of the influence of their poison on life, and a series of experiments. 2nd Edition, by J. Fayrer. London, 1874. Gray, 111. Ind. Zool. Illustrations of Indian Zoology, chiefly selected from the collection of Major-General Hardwicke. By J. E. Gray. 2 vols. London, 1830-1834. Gray, Cat. Liz. Catalogue of the Specimens of Lizards in the Collection of the British Museum. By J. E. Gray. London, 1845. Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. i. Catalogue of Shield Eeptiles in the Collection of the British Museum. — Part I. Testudinata. By J. E. Gray. London, 1855. Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. i. Suppl. Supplement to tlie Catalogue of Shield Eeptiles.— Part I. Testudinata. By J. E. Gray. London, 1870. Gray, Cat. Sn. Catalogue of the Specimens of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum. By J. E. Gray. London, 1849. b Xviii WORKS QUOTED. Gray Cat. Tort. Catalogue of t,ho Tortoisos, Crocodiles, and Ampliis- bxnians in the Collection of the British Museuna. J3y J. E. Gray. London, 1844. Gunth. Cat. Batr. Sal. Catalogue of the Bati-achia Salientia in the Col- lection of the British Museum. By A. Gilnther, London, 1858. Gunth. Cat. Col. Sn. Catalogue of the Colubrine Snalces in the Collection of tiae British Museum. By A. Giinther. London, 1858. Gunth. R. B. I. The Reptiles of British India. By A. Gilnther. London (Hay Society), 1864. J. A. S. B. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Calcutta, 1831-1889. Jan, Icon. Ophid. Iconographie G6nerale des Ophidiens. By G. Jan. Milan, 1860-lSSl. Kelaart, Prod. Prodromus Fauna; Zeylanica; ; being Contributions to the Zoology of Ceylon. By E. P. Kelaart. Ceylon, 1852. Laur. Syn. Rept. Specimen medicum, exhibens Synopsin Eeptilium emenda- tum. By J. N. Laurenti. Vienna, 1768. Linn. Syst. Nat. Systema ISTaturfe. Ed. duodecima reformata. By 0. A. Linne. Stockholm, 1776. MB. Ak. Berl. Monatsberichte der koniglich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. Berlin, 1856-1881. Merr. Tent. TentamenSystematis Amphibiorum. By B. Merrem. Marburg, 1820. Murray, Zool. Sind. The Vertebrate Zoology of Sind. By James A. Murray. London and Bombay, 1884. P. A. Si B. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Calcutta, 1865- 1887. P. Z. S. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. London, 1830- 1889. Russell, Ind Serp. An Account of Indian Serpents, collected on the Coast of Coromandel. By P. Russell. 2 vols. London, 1796-1801. Schleg. Phys. Serp. Essai sur la Physionomie des Serpens. By H. Schiegel. 2 vols. The Hague, 1837. Schneid. Hist. Amph. Historia Amphibiorum uaturalis et literaria. By J. G. Schneider. Jena, 1799-1801. Theob. Cat. Descriptive Catalogue of the Reptiles of British India. By W. Theobald. Calcutta, 1876. Wagl. Syst. Amph. Natiirliches System der Amphibien. By J. Wagler. Munich, 1830. REPTILIA. Reptiles may be briefly defined as cold-blooded Vertebrates breathing by lungs throughout their existence, and having the body covered with scales or scutes. A basioccipital bone is present in the skull, which articulates with the vertebral column by a single condyle. The class Eeptilia is divided into a considerable number of Orders, which are, however, mostly extinct. Recent Reptiles belong to four Orders, viz. : — I. EMYDOSAURIA, Crocodiles. II. CHELONIA, Tortoises and Turtles. lU. SQUAMATA, Lizards and Snakes. IV. RHTNCHOCEPHALIA, a primitive type, probably ances- tral to the three others, and of which a single existing representative is known, the Tuatera of New Zealand. Order I. EMYDOSAURIA. Quadrate bone immovably united to cranial arches ; two hori- zontal bony temporal arches. Cervical and dorsal ribs mostly two-headed, the middle dorsals articulating with the transverse processes of the neural arch. Sternum and interclavicle present ; seven or eight transverse series of " abdominal ribs," not connected with the vertebral ribs, each series composed of four ossicles, and forming an angle directed forwards. Teeth present in the jaws, implanted in alveoli. Ventricle of the heart divided by a complete septum. Pectoral and abdominal cavities separated from each other by a muscular diaphragm. Anal opening longitudinal. Copulatory organ [jresent, sijigle. B 2 OROCOBILTDjE. Family I. CROCODILID^. Nares anterior ; choaua) opening far back between the pterygoids, which, like the palatines and maxillaries, are produced into osseous plates joining on the median line of the palate ; orbit commuui- cating with the infratemporal fossa. Vertebrae procctlous ; ribs with uncinate processes. No clavicles. Pubis excluded from acetabulum. Manus with five well-developed digits, pes with four. A dorsal armour of bony scutes. Ears with movable opercles. A. B. Fig, A. Side view. ang. Angular. ar. Articular. ho. Basioccipilal. d. Dentary. CO. Exocoipital. /. Frontal. j. Jugal. k Laclirymal. 1. — Skull of Crocodilus palmtris. m. 11. !>• pi. pm. frf. ft. , Upper view. Maxillarj'. Nasal. Parietal. Palatine. PrcBui axillary. Pra'fronial. Pterygoid. C. Lower view. -ptf. Postfronlal. q. Quadrate. qj. Quadralojugal. s.aiig. Supra-angular. so. Supraoccipital. sq. Squamosal. tp. Transpalatine. GATIALIS. 3 Tongue entirely attached to the floor of the mouth. Pupil vertical. Only the three inner digits clawed. The Crocodiles are at the same time the most highly organized and the largest of existing Eeptiles. They are thoroughly aquatic and carnivorous. Their eggs, which have a hard shell, are deposited on the banks of the water, in a hollow slightly covered up with sand. 23 or 24 living species are known from Africa, Southern Asia to the Tang-tse-Kiaug, North Australia, and the tropical and warm parts of America. In the fauna with which the present work deals. Crocodiles are represented by two genera, thus distin- guished : — Snout extremely elongate ; 27 teeth or more on each side of upper jaw Gavialis, p. 3. Snout moderate; 17 to 19 teeth on each side of upper jaw Crocodilus, p. 4. Genus GAVIALIS, Oppel, Ordn. Rept. p. 19, 1811. 27 to 29 upper and 25 or 26 lower teeth on each side, anterior largest, laterals subequal, not received into interdental pits ; the first, second, and third mandibular teeth fitting into notches in the upper jaw. Snout extremely narrow and elongate, dilated at the end ; nasal bones comparatively short, widely separated from the prsemaxillaries ; nasal opening smaller than the supratemporal fossae ; lower anterior margin of orbit (jugal) raised. Mandibular symphysis extremely long, extending to the 23rd or 24th tooth, comprising the splenial bones. A dorsal shield formed of four longitudinal series of juxtaposed, keeled, bony scutes. A single species, only found in rivers. 1. Gavialis gangeticus. Lacerta gangetica, Gmel. 8yst. Nat. i, p. 1057. Gavialis gaugeticus, Qiinth. Rept. B. 1. p. 63 ; BouUng. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 275. Gharialis gangeticus, Theob. Cat. p. 37, Snout 3^- (adult) to 5| times (young) as long as broad at the base. ISTuchal and dorsal scutes forming a single continuous shield, composed of 21 or 22 transverse series ; an outer row of soft, smooth or feebly-keeled scutes in addition to the bony dorsal scutes ; two small postoccipital scutes. Median fingers one-third, outer toes two-thirds webbed. A strong crest on the outer edge of the forearm, leg, and foot. Adult dark olive above ; young pale olive, with dark brown spots or cross-bauds. Hob. Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers and Lheir larger tributaries ; also Mahauadi of Orissa, and Koladyne river, Ai-rakau, but not the Nerbudda, Tapti, Godavari, Kistna, Irrawaddy, or other rivers of India or Burma. The Gharial reaches a length of 20 feet ; it feeds entirely upon fish, for seizing which its narrow jaws are specially adapted. b2 4 CROOODILIBjE. Genus CROCODILUS, Laur. Syu. Rept. p. 53 (part.), 1768. 17 to 19 upper and 15 lower teeth on each side ; fifth maxillary tooth largest ; the fourth mandibular usually fitting into a notch in the upper jaw. Snout more or less elongate ; nasal bones ex- tending to the nasal aperture, which is undivided and larger than the supratemporal fossae. Splenial bones not entering the man- dibular symphysis, which does not extend beyond the eighth tooth. A dorsal shield formed of four or more longitudinal series of juxta- posed, keeled, bony scutes. Distribution. Africa, Southern Asia, North Australia, Tropical America. 11 or 12 species appear to be well established. Synopsis of Indian Species. Snout* If to 2 J times as long as broad C. porosus, p. 4. Snout 1^ to 1^ times as long as broad C. palustris, p. 5. 2. Crocodilus porosus. Crocodilus porosus, Schneid. Hist. AmiiJi. ii, p. 159 ; Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 62 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 36 ; Boulenrj. Cat. CM. dfc. p. 284. Oopholis pondicherianus, Gray, A.M.N. H. (3) x, 1862, p. 268. Crocodilus pondicerianus, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 62, pi. vii ; Theoh. Cat. p. 36. 17 to 19 upper teeth on each side. Snout 1§ to 2| times as long as broad at the base ; head rough, snout with a more or less strong ridge on each side in front of the eye, slightly converging towards its fellow; mandibular symphysis extending to the fifth tooth; preemaxillo-maxillary suture, on the palate, directed backwards or W-shaped ; nasal bones separating the preemaxillaries above. Four large nuchal scutes forming a square, with one or two smaller ones on each side ; postoccipital scutes usually absent, sometimes small and irregular. Dorsal shield well separated from the nuchal, the scutes forming 16 or 17 transverse and 4 to 8 longitudinal series ; scales on sides and limbs smooth or feebly keeled. Eingers webbed at the base ; outer toes extensively webbed. A serrated fringe on the outer edge of the leg. Adult dark oHve above ; young pale olive, with large black spots on the body and tail and dots on the head. Hah. Bengal, East coast of India, Ceylon, Burma, and Southern China to North Australia and the Solomon and Eiji Islands. Entering salt water and frequently occurring out at sea. Not recorded from West coast of India. It is not certain that this species is found far above the tideway in rivers. A specimen 33 feet long is on record. * The snout is tlie portion of the head in front of the iirbits. OROCOUILTJS. 5 3. Crocodilus palustris. Crocodilus palustris, Lesson in Belang. Voy. Inil. Or., Zool. p. 305 ; • Kelaart, IVodr. p. 183 ; Gibith. Rcpt. B. I. p. Gl, pi. viii, fiff. A : Theoh. Cat. p. 36; Boulenij. Cat. Chel. ^-c. p. 285. Crocodilus trig-onops, Gray, Cut, Tort. Sfc. p. 62. 19 upper teeth on each side. Snout 1^ to 1| as long as broad at the base ; head rough but without any ridges ; mandibular symphysis extending to the level of the fourth or fifth tooth ; prte- maxillo-maxillary suture, on the palate, transverse, nearly straight, or curved forwards ; nasal bones separating the praemaxillaries above. Pour large nuchals forming a square, with a smaller oue on each side ; two pairs of smaller nuchals on a transverse series behind the occiput. Dorsal shield well separated from the nuchal, the scutes usually in 4, rarely in 6, longitudinal series, those of the two median usually considerably broader than long ; 16 or 17 transverse series. Scales on limbs keeled. Fingers webbed at the base ; outer toes extensively webbed. A serrated fringe on the outer edge of the leg. Adult blackish olive above: young pale olive, dotted and spotted with black. The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 12 feet, but individuals are said to grow much larger. Hah. India, Ceylon, Burma, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. This is the common Crocodile of India, found in rivers, marshes, and ponds, and extending west to Sind and Baluchistan. This species is easily distinguished from G. porosus by its shorter snout and by the presence of five teeth in each prae- maxillary bone, whilst the adult of the latter has but four. 6 Order 11. CHELONIA. Quadrate bone immovably united to cranial arches. Dorsal ribs single-headed, the anterior attached between two vertebrae. Body- encased in a bony shell. A plastron formed of a small number of elements in addition to the clavicles. No sternum. No teeth ; jaws covered wifh horny sheaths. Anal opening round or longitudinal. Copulatory organ present, single. Oviparous ; eggs with a hard shell, except in the Chelonitlce. The Tortoises and Turtles of India fall into five Families*. Suborder I. THECOFHORA. Dorsal vertebrae and ribs immovably united and expanded into bony plates forming a carapace. Parietals prolonged dovrawards towards the pterygoids. Superfam. A. TEIONYCHOIDEA. Articulation between the last cervical and the first dorsal vertebra by the zygapophyses only. Marginal bones absent or forming an incomplete series. Carapace and plastron without epidermal shields, covered with a soft skin Fam. 1. Trionychidse. Superfam. B. OETPTODIEA. Centrum of the last cervical vertebra articulating with the centrum of the first dorsal. A complete series of marginal bones, connected with the ribs. Digits short ; tail short, with procoelous ver- tebrae Fam. 2. Testudinidae. Digits short ; tail long ; caudal vertehree mostly opisthoccelous Fam. 3. Platysternidae. Limbs paddle-shaped, with only one or two claws. Marine Fam. 4. Chelonidae. Suborder II. ATHECM. Vertebrae and ribs free, separated from a bony exoskeleton. Skull without descending processes of the parietal bones. Limbs paddle-shaped, clawless. Marine.... Fam. 5. Sphargidae. * These five families, so far as Indian genera are concerned, may be recog- nized from external characters by use of the following key : — Limbs with four or five claws. Tail sliort Testudinidae. Tail nearly as long as the shell Platysternidae. Limbs wiih three claws Trionychidae. Limbs with one or two claws Chelonidae. Limbs without claws , Sphargidae. OHBLONIA. 7 For the illustration of the osteological characters employed in the systematic arrangement, the following figures are appended of a skull, and of a shell stripped of the horny epidermal shields. A. A. Side view. ar. Articular, ho. Basioccipitnl. l)p. Basiphenoid. c.a. Columella auris. cor. Coronoid. d. Dontary. eo. Exoccipital. /. Frontal. Fig. 2. — Skull of Trionyx gangeticus. B, Upper view. C. Lower view. Jugal. m. Maxillary. opo. Opisfchotic. p. Parietal. pi. Palatine. •pm. Prasinaxillary. prf. Prajfrontal. •pi-o. Prootic. pt. Pterygoid. ptf. Postfroutal. q. Quadrate. qj. Quadratqjugal. s.ang. Supra-angular. so. Supraoccipital. sq. Squamosal. V. Vomer. 8 OHELONIA. The arrangement of the bones or plates of the shell, as shown in fig. 3, differs entirely from that of the overlying shields, both in the upper shell {carapace) and lower (plastron) ; but the impres- sions of the shields are nearly always distiuct, as represented in figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14. In these figures crosses are inserted to indicate the position of the anterior (axillary) and posterior (inguinal) processes or buttresses of the plastron, which, if present, anchylose with the lower surface of the carapace. Figure 4 refers to the terminology of the epidermal shields. m 'm. CO CO' CO' nil 3 \ CO Tie''' ne ne' A. B. Fig. 3. — Shell of Morenia oocllata, showing bony plates. A. Carapace. B. Plastron. Costal. hypp. Hypoplastron. mi. Nuchal. Entoplastron. m. Marginal. py. Pygal. ne. Neural. xyp. Xiphiplastron. CO. ewp. epp. Epipiastron hyop. Hyoplastron. The investigation of the bony plates presents no great difficulty, and need not cause the slightest damage to the specimen, whether dry or preserved in spirit; for the removal of one or two epidermal shields with a penknife requires but a little care, and after the examination the horny shields may be stuck on again with gum which is not: soluble in alcohol. " There is much greater variety, apart from individual variations, in the disposition of the bony plates than in that of the overlviug shields, and much greater profit is to be derived from the study of the former in determining: the relationship of genera of Tortoises. TEIONTCHIDiE. 9 The connexion between the carapace and plastron is called the bridge. n Fig. 4. — Shell of Chelone mydas, with epidermal horny shields. a an/ irni A. Carapace a. Abdominal. an. Anal. c. Costal, /. Femoral. g. Grular. The anterior inframarginal is also termed axillary, and the posterior inguinal. h. Humeral. ig. Intergular. im. Inframarginal. m. Marginal. B. Plastron. 11. Nuchal. p. Pectoral, sc. Supracaudal. V. Vertebral. Suborder I. THECOPHOBA. Superfam. A. TRIONYCHOIDEA. N(ick bending by a sigmoid curve in a vertical plane ; cervical vertebrte without well-developed transverse processes ; articulation between the last cervical and the first dorsal vertebra by the zyga- pophyses only. Mandible with articulary concavity ; outer border of tympanic cavity notched ; pterygoids not narrowed posteriorly, separated from each other, the basisphenoid joining the palatines. Pelvis not anchylosed to the carapace and plastron. Fourth digit with four or more phalanges. Epiplastra separated from the hyoplastra by the A-shaped entoplastron. Marginal bones absent or forming an incomplete series, not connected with the ribs. Family I. TRIONYCIIID.^. Carapace and plastron without epidermal shields, covered with a soft skin. Jaws concealed under fleshy lips; snout ending in a proboscis. Head and neck completely retractile. Ear liidden. Only the three inner digits clawed. Tail very short. 10 TEIONYOniDJE, Distribution. Eivers of Asia, Africa, and North America. Of the six known genera, four are represented in the Indian Region. The Trionychoids are thoroughly aquatic Turtles, living chiefly in rivers ; Pelochelys even enters the sea. Specimens of Emyda, however, are occasionally found at some distance from water, according to the observations of Kelaart and Blanford. All are carnivorous, and their ferocious habits, together with the extreme rapidity with which they project their necks, render the larger indi- viduals dangerous to men bathing. Of no commercial value. Synopsis of Indian Genera. A, Plastron without cutaueous valves ; hyoplastrou distinct from hypoplastron ; no marj^inal ossi- ficatious. a. Orbit nearer the temporal than the nasal fossa ; bony choause between the orbits Trionyx, p. 10. b. Orbit nearer the nasal than the temporal fossa ; bony choanee between the orbits Pelocitelys, p. 15. c. Orbit nearer the nasal than the temporal fossa ; bony choanae behind the orbits Chitra, p. 16. B. Plastron with a cutaneous femoral valve, under which the hind limb may be con- cealed ; hyoplastron coossified with hypo- plastron ; marginal bones present Emyda, p. 16. Genus TRIONYX, Geofir. Ann. Mus. xiv, 1809, p. 1 (part.). Outer extremities of the nuchal plate overlying the second dorsal rib ; neural plates well developed. Limbs completely exposed. Hyoplastron distinct from hypoplastron; not more than live plastral callosities. Bony choanas between the orbits ; jaws strong; postorbital arch narrower than the diameter of the orbit ; posterior border of pterygoids free, without ascending process. Distribution. Africa, Asia, North America. 15 species are recognized, 7 of which are found in India and its dependencies. The dimensions given are those of specimens in the British Museum ; individuals may be found considerably larger, some attaining probably 5 feet in length of carapace. Synopsis of Indian Species. A. All the costal plates separated on the median line by the neural plates; head very large . T. suhplanus, p. 11. B. Last pair of costal plates in contact on the median line. a. Two neural plates between the fii'st pair of costtds; alveolar surface of lower jaw without a strung- longitudinal ridge at the symphysis. TEIONTX. 11 a'. Inner edge of alveolar surface of mandible strongly raised, forming a sharp ridge, ■which sends off a short perpendicular process at the symphysis ; interorbital space, in the adult skull, nan-ower than the external nasal opening ; head with oblique black lines, converging for- wards ; no ocellar spots T. f/angeticus, p. 12, h'. Inner edge of alveolar surface of mandible not or but very slightly raised, sym- physis flat or with a longitudinal furrow ; interorbital space narrower than the external nasal opening ; head with oblique black lines, converging for- wards ; young with small ocellar dorsal spots T. leithii, p. 12. c'. Inner edge of alveolar sm-face of mandible not or but very slightly raised, sym- physis flat or with a longitudinal fur- row ; interorbital space, in the adult skull, broader than the external nasal opening; head black-marbled, with a lai'ge yellow spot behind each eye; young with large ocellar dorsal spots. . T. hurum, p. 13. . A single neural plate between the first pair ofcostals; alveolar surface of lower jaw with a strong longitudinal symphysial ridge. a'. Epiplastra widely separated from each other; plastral callosities well deve- loped and largely pitted T. formosus, p. 14. h'. Epiplastra in contact in front of the ento- plastron ; plastral callosities very f eebly developed, finely sculptured T. phmjm, p. 14. c'. Epiplastra in contact in front of the ento- plastron ; plastral callosities well deve- loped and largely pitted T. cartilaginens, p. 15. 4. Trionyx suljplanus. Trionyx suhplanus, Geoffr. Ann. Mus. xiv, 1809, p. 11, pi. v, fig. 2 ; Gilnth. Rept. B. I. p. 49 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. t^-c. p. 246, Dogania giintheri, Gray, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 265. Trionyx giintheri, Giinth. Rept. B. 1. p. 49, pi. vi, fig. A. Carapace very flat ; costal plates eight pairs, the last well deve- loped and separated by the last neural plate; a single neural between the first pair of costals ; these plates very finely granulate and vermiculate ; a large fontanelle, till late in life, between the nuchal and dorsal plates. Epiplastra narrowly separated from each other in front of the entoplastron, which forms an obtuse or a right angle ; plastral rugosities scarcely developed, on the hyo- and hypoplastra and on the xiphiplastra. Dorsal skin of young with interrupted longitudinal ridges. Head very large ; snout (on the skull) about as long as the diameter of the orbit, which is more than double the interorbital width; postorbital arch extremely •12 triontchidtT;, narrow, forming a keel on its outer surface ; mandibular symphysis shorter than the diameter of the orbit, without median ridge. Brown above, yellowish beneath and on the sides of the neck ; head and neck with yellowish dots ; some young with an oblique dark streak behind each eye. Length of dorsal disk 10 inches. Hah. Mergui, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java. 5. Trionyx gangeticus. Trionyx gangeticus, Cmiei-, Oss. Foss. v, pt. 2, pp. 186, 222, pi. xi, figs. 5-8 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 248. Trionyx javaniciis (non Geoff):), Gray, III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Ixv ; Giijith. Rept. B. I. p. 48. Aapilus gataghol, Gray, A. M. N. 11. (4) x, 1872, p. 339. Trionyx gangeticus, part., Tlxeob. Cat. p. 28. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed and in contact throughout on the median line; two neurals between the first pair of costals ; plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Epiplastra narrowly separated from each other in front of the entoplastron, which forms an obtuse or a right angle ; plastral callosities very large, hyo-hypoplastral, xiphiplastral, and, in old specimens, ento- plastral. Dorsal skin of young with longitudinal ridges of small tubercles. Head moderate ; snout (on the skull) about as long as the diameter of the orbit ; interorbital region, in the adult, con- siderably narrower than the nasal fossa ; postorbital arch one third to one half the greatest diameter of the orbit ; mandible with the inner edge strongly raised, forming a sharp ridge, which sends off a short perpendicular process at the symphysis ; the diameter of the mandible at the symphysis does not exceed the diameter of the orbit, Olive above ; back of young vermiculated with fine black Knes, but mthout ocelli ; head with a black longitudinal streak from between the eyes to the nape, intersected b}- two or three A-shaped black streaks ; lower parts yellowish. Length of dorsal disk 2 feet. Hah. Gangetic river-system ; Indus ? 6. Trionyx leithii. Trionyx leithii, Gray, A.M.N. H. (4) x, 1872, p. 334: Bovlenq. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 249. ? Trionyx gangeticus, Murray, Zool. Sind, p. 342. Intermediate between T. rjanrjeticns and T. hurum. Agrees with the former in the width of the interorbital space, the comparatively short mandibular symphysis, and the markings of the head ; with the latter in the longer and more pointed snout, the absence of a strong ridge on the inner alveolar surface of the mandible, and in the presence, in the young, of four or more dorsal ocelli, which are, however, smaller than in T. hurum. Hah. Kistna River, Deccan, and Nelambar Eiver, Malabar. This will probably prove to be a Peninsular form, ranging from the Indus to Madras and Malabar. TEIOKYX. 13 7. Trionyx hurum. Trionyx hurum, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 47, pi. x ; id. III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Ixvi ; Boideny. Cat, Chel. ^c. p. 249. • Trionyx ocellatus, Gray, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxviii ; Theoh. P. A. 8. B. 1875, p. 174, pi. iv ; id. Cat. p. 29, Trionyx gangeticus, Oiinth. Hept. B. I. p. 47. Trionyx buclianani, Theob. P. A. S. B. 1874, p. 78. Trionyx gangeticus, part., Theoh. Cat. p. 28. Fig. 5. — Trionyx hurum (young). Costal plates eight pairs, the Inst well developed and in contact throughout on the median line; two neurals between the first pair of costals ; plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Epiplastra narrowly separated from each other in front of the entoplastron, which forms an obtuse or a right angle ; plastral callosities very large, hyo-hypoplastral, xiphiplastral, and in old specimens ento- plastral. Dorsal skin of young with longitudinal ridges of small tubercles. Head moderate ; snout (on the skull) a little longer than the diameter of the orbit; interorbital region, in the adult, as broad as the nasal fossa; postorbital arch somewhat more tliau half the diameter of the orbit in the adult; mandible without strongly raised inner edge or longitudinal symphysial ridge ; the diameter of the mandible at the symphysis oxceeds tiie diameter of the orbit. Olive-brown above and bonealii ; head, neck, limbs, and 14 tbiontchid;e. border of shell light-dotted ; head with large yellow spots, viz. across the snout, behind the orbit, at the augle of the mouth, on the tympanic region, and on the chin ; these spots become indistinct in the adult, the head of which is more or less closely spotted or vermiculated with black ; dorsal disk in the young with dark marblings and four or six very large ocelli. Length of dorsal disk 16 inches. Hah. Granges and its tributaries. 8. Trionyx formosus. Trionyx formosus, Gray, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 217, pi. xv, fig. 1 ; Theob. Cat. p. 31 ; Boulemj. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 250. Trionyx peguensis, 6rray, Suppl.Cat. Sh.Re])t. i, p. 99 ; T/ieoS. Cai. p. 31. Trionyx grayii, Theoh. P. A. S.B. 1875, p. 176, pi. iii; id. Cat. p. 31. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed and in contact throughout on the median line ; a single neural between the first pau' of costals ; plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Dorsal skin of young with longitudinal ridges of small tubercles. Epi- plastra separated from each other ; entoplastron forming an obtuse or right angle ; plastral callosities well developed, hyo-hypoplastral and xiphiplastral, and coarsely sculptured like the carapace. Head moderate : snout (on the skull) about as long as the diameter of the orbit ; interorbital region, in the adult, as broad as the nasal fossa ; postorbital arch, in the adult, a little less than half the diameter of the orbit ; mandible with, a strong ridge along the symphysis, the diameter of which equals or a little exceeds that of the orbit. Olive-brown above, white below; head of young ornamented with yellow black-edged markings, the largest being a cross-baud on each side of the back of the head ; these markings disappear in the adult, the head of which is closely spotted with black above and uniform white inferiorly ; young with four large dorsal oceUi, as in T. hurum. Size of T. hurum. Hab. Irrawaddy, Sittoung, and Salween rivers, Burma. 9. Trionyx phayrii. Trionyx phayrei, Theoh. Journ. Linn. Soc. x, 1868, p. 18 ; id. Cat. p. 30; Boulenff. Cat. Chel. Si'c. p. 251. Trionyx jeudi. Gray, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 217, figs. Trionyx cariniferus (wora Gray), Theob. P. A. S. B. 1874, p. 80, pi. iv. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed, with slightly concave posterior border, and in contact on the median line ; a single neural between the first pair of costals ; plates rather coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Epiplastra in contact in front of the entoplastron, which forms an obtuse or right angle ; plastral callosities hardly developed, the hyoplastra bearing a mere trace of sculpture. Head moderate; skull as in T. fonxostts, but snout a little longer in the adult. Head of adult slotted or vermiculated with black above and uniform whitish inferiorly, as in T. formosus. Length of dorsal disk 20 inches. Bab. Pegu, Arrakan range, Tenasserim and Sumatra. PELOOHELTS. 15 10. Trionyx cartilagineus. Testudo cartilaginea, Bodclaert, Epistola ad W. Jlo'ell, 1770. Trionyx ornatus, Gmi/, P. Z. S. 1861, p. 41. pi. v ; G'dnth. Rept. B. I. ■ p. 48, pi. yi, fig. B. Trionyx stellatus, var. javanicus (Geoffr.), Theob. P. A. S. B. 1874, p. 79, pi. iii ; id. Cat. p. 30. Trionyx ephippium, Theoh. P. A. S. B. 1875, p. 177, pi. v. Ti'ionyx cartilagineus, Boidencj. Cat. Chel. 8fc. p. 253. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed aud forming a median suture behind the last neural ; a single neural between the first pair of costals ; dorsal plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Dorsal skin of young with longitudinal ridges of small tubercles. Epiplastra in contact, or narrowly separated, in front of the entoplastron, which forms an obtuse or a right angle ; plastral callosities well developed in the adult, hyo-hypoplastral and xiphiplastral, and coarsely sculptiu'ed like the carapace. Head modei-ate; snout (on the skull) considerably longer than the diameter of the orbit ; iuterorbitai region, in the adult, as broad as the nasal fossa, or a little narrower ; postorbital arch very narrow, one third or one fourth the diameter of the orbit ; mandible with a strong ridge along the symphysis, the diameter of which equals or exceeds the diameter of the orbit. Olive-brown above and ou the chin ; head and chin with numerous yellow spots, the largest of which are below the temple ; dorsal disk of young light-dotted, and usually with a few large blackish spots ; lower parts white. Size of T. hurum. Hah. Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam, Camboja, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java. Genus PELOCHELYS, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 89. Outer^ extremities of the nuchal plate overlying the second dorsal rib; neural plates well developed. Limbs completely exposed. Hyoplastron distinct from hypoplastron ; not more than five plastral callosities. Bony choauEo between the orbits ; jaws weak ; postorbital arch as broad as the diameter of the orbit ; posterior border of pterygoids free, without ascending process. A single species. • 11. Pelochelys cantoris. Chitra indica, part., Gray, Cat. Tort. p. 49 ; GuntJi. Rept. B. I. p. 50 pi. vi. fig. C. ' Gymnopiis indicus, Cantor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 18^17, p. 616. Pelochelys cantorii, Gray, P. Z. S. 1804, p. 90, figs. :' Tkeob. Cat p. 28 ; Boulenff. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 263. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed and forming a median suture ; a single neural between the first pair of costals ; plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Dorsal skin of young 16 TBIONYOHID^E, tuberculate. Epiplastiva small and widely separated ; entoplastron forming a right or an acute angle; plastral callosities largely- developed. Head moderate; snout very short and broad; ])ro- boscis very short ; interorbital space broader than the greatest diameter of the orbit ; mandible narrowest at the symphysis. Olive above, uniform or spotted with darker ; lips and throat of young olive, speckled with whitish ; plastron whitish. Length of dorsal disk 2 feet. Hab. Granges, Burma, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Philippines. Genus CHITEA, Gray, Oat. Tort. p. 49, 1844. Outer extremities of the nuchal plate overlying the second dorsal rib; neural plates well developed. Limbs completely exposed. Hyoplastron distinct from hypoplastron ; not more than five plastral callosities. Bony choanse behind the orbits, which are situated quite at the anterior extremity of the skull ; jaws weak ; postorbital arch at least twice as broad as the diameter of the orbit; posterior border of pterygoids free, without ascending process. A single species. 12. Chitra indica. Trionyx indicus, Gray, Syn. JSept. p. 47. Trionyx segyptianus, var. indicus, Gray, III. Ind. Zool. \, pi. Ixxx. Obitra indica, part., Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 50. Chitra indica, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 91, figs. ; Theob. Cat. p. 27 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 264. Costal plates eight pairs, the last well developed and forming a median suture; a single neural between the first pair of costals ; plates coarsely pitted and vermiculate. Epiplastra widely sepa- rated ; entoplastron forming an acute augle ; plastral callosities largely developed. Head small, with extremely short snout; interorbital space considerably narrower than the greatest diameter of the orbit. Olive or green above, whitish inferiorly ; dorsal disk o£ young with dark vermiculations ; head and neck with dark longitudinal lines. Length of dorsal disk 2 feet. Hab. Granges and Irrawaddy ; Indus ? Genus EMYDA, Gray, Syn. Eept. p. 49, 1831. Nuchal notched at each outer eud, which underlies the first costal plate ; carajiace large, with a series of bony plates in the posterior cutaueous border and a prajuuchal marginal bony plate ; neural plates well du\elopod, seven or eight iu number, formiug a EMTBA. 17 continuous series ; eighth pair of costals large in the adult, and, like the penultimate, forming a median suture. Plastron with a cutaneous femoral yalve, under which the hind limb may be con- cealed ; hyoplastron coossified with hypoplastron ; seven plastral callosities (in the adult). Bony choana3 between the orbits ; jaws strong ; postorbital arch moderate, much narrower than the dia- meter of the orbit ; posterior border of pterygoids with a median ascending process forming a suture with the opisthotic. Three species are distinguished, all being Indian or Burmese. Synopsis of the Species. Head with yellow spots ; entoplastral callosity small. E. granosa, p. 17. Plead without yellow spots ; first marginal plate much larger than second E. vittata, p. 17. Head without yeUow spots ; first margmal plate not larger than second E. scutata, p. 18. 13. Emyda granosa. Testudo granosa, Schoepf, Test. p. 127, pi. xxx, a & b. Trionyx granosa and T. punctata, Gray, III. Ind. Zool. ii, pis. Ixiii, ixiv. Emyda granosa, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 45 ; Theob. Cat. p. 32 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 269. Emyda diu-a, Anders. Journ. Linn. Soc. xii, 1876, p. 514. Carapace and plastral callosities finely and uniformly granulate ; two neural plates between the first pair of costals ; anterior margmal very large, much larger than the others ; seven plastral callosities, of which the entoplastral is much the smallest ; the extent of these callosities varies considerably, not only with age, but according to individuals. Head moderate ; snout short. Skin of dorsal disk, in the young, longitudinally plaited. Olive-brown above, with round yellow spots on the head and back, which become less distinct in adult specimens; plastron and margin of carapace yellowish white. Length of dorsal disk 10 inches. Eah. Indus and Granges plains, in rivers, canals, &c. 14. Emyda vittata. Emyda punctata {nan Gray), Eelaart, Prodr. p. 179. Eniyda vittata, Peters, MB. Ah. Berl. 1854, p. 216; Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 46; Theob. Cat. p. 32; Boulem/. Cat. Chel. &-c. p. 269 ■ Emyda ceylonensis, Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 64, pi. xxix a; Giintli. Rept. B. I. p. 45. Under this name may be provisionally grouped such specimens as agree with E. (jranosa except in the uniform brown colour of the upper parts (with or without darker bauds on tlie head and neck), aud usually in the larger entoplastral and xiphiplastral callosities. The constancy of these charactei-s and the correlation 18 TESTUDIIflDiE. between tbera, however, still require to be tested upon a larger number of specimens. Hab. Ceylou ; Soufchera India ; Grodavavi, Mahanadi, and their tributaries. 15. Emyda scutata. Emyda scutata, Peters, 31 B. Ah. Berl 1868, p. 449 ; Theob. Cat. p. 32 ; Bouhng. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 270. Emyda fuscomaculata, Gray, A. M.N. H. (4) xi, 1873, p. 308. Very closely allied to E. granosa and E. vittata, but anterior marginals less enlarged, less unequal in size, the first not larger than the second. Entoplastral callosity large or moderate. Brown above, carapace spotted or reticulated with darker. Hab. Irrawaddy. Superfam. B. CRYPTODIRA. Neck bending by a sigmoid curve in a vertical plane ; cervical vertebrae without transverse processes or with mere indications o£ them ; centrum o£ the last cervical articulating with the centrum oE the first dorsal. Mandible with articulary concavities ; outer border of tympanic cavity incompletely bony ; pterygoids narrow in the middle, in contact on the median line. Pelvis not anchy- losed to the carapace and plastron. Digits with not more than three phalanges. Epiplastra in contact with hyoplastra ; ento- plastrou, if present, oval, rhomboidal, or T-shaped. jA. complete series of marginal bones, connected with the ribs. Family II. TESTUDINID^. Shell covered with epidermal shields. Caudal vertebrae pro- ccelous. Neck completely retractile within the shell. Parietal bones widely separated from squamosals. Digits short or mo- derately elongate ; phalanges with condyles ; claws four or five. This family, which contains the bulk of recent Ohelonians, is distributed over every part of the world except Australia. Ten genera are represented in the Indian Eegion. Syno2ysis of Indian Genera. A. Limbs cluh-shaped ; alveolar surface of upper jaw with a median ridge Testudo, p. 19. B. Digits distinct, with at least a rudunent of web ; alveolar surface of upper jaw without median ridge. a. Head covered with undivided skin. a'. Plastron not hinged ; no hony temporal arch. Geoemyda, p. 23. b'. Plastron not hinged ; a bony temj)oral ai'ch. NicOBiA, p. 26. c'. Plastron hinged, movable ; a bony temporal arch Cyclemys, p. 28. TESTTTDO. 19 b. Hinder part of head covered with small shields. «'. Choante between the eyes Bellia, p. 32. _ Choante behind the level of the eyes .... Damonia, p. 34. 0. Digits distinct, extensively or entirely webbed ; alveolar surface of upper jaw with one or two median ridges. a. Fourth vertebral shield not longer than third, embracing three neural bones. «'. Axillary and inguinal buttresses of plastron short; choanaB behind the level of the „ ^^J^^ MoBBNiA, p. 35. b . Axillary and mguinal buttresses much de- veloped, the former connected with the first rib or nearly reaching it. a", Ohoanse behind the level of the eyes ; al- veolar surface of upper jaw with a single i^^^i''^!! I'i'i&e IIabdella, p. 36. 0 . Lhoanae behind the level of the eyes ; alveolar surface of upper jaw with two median ridges; fore linib with four claws only Batagxjb, p. 37. b. Jbourth vertebral shield elongate, embracing four or five neural bones ° Kachuga, p. 38 Genus TESTUDO, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 350 (part.), 1766. Neural plates usually alternately tetragonal and octagonal ; costal plates alternately narrower and wider. Suture between the mar- ginal and costal bones and shields usually corresponding ; supra- caudal shield usually single. Plastron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with short axillary and inguinal buttresses, which do not reach, or just reach, the costal plates ; entoplastrou usually anterior to the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with weak or moderately wide postorbital and temporal arches ; alveolar surface of upper jaw with one or two median ridges ; choan£e between the eyes. Head shielded above. Limbs club-shaped, covered with large scales or tubercles. Tail short. _ This genus, of which some 40 species are known, is represented m every part of the world except Australia. Habits terrestrial and herbivorous. Syiiopsis of Indian Species. A . Supracaudal shield single. a. Nuchal shield present ; forehead with large shields. a'. Anal shields foi-ming a very short suture, or entirely separated by the anal notch . . T. eloncjata, p 20 0 . buture between the anals at least as long as that between the abdominals T'. leitlm) p. 20 C2 " ^0 TESTXJDINIDiE. b. No nuchal; forehead with small irregular shields. a'. Heel and hinder side of thighs with 8])ur- like tubercles ; j)lastron with dark radia- ting lines T. elcyans, p. 21 . b'. Heel and hinder side of thighs^ without spixr-like tuhercles ; plastron without ra- diatmg lines T. platijnota, p. 22. B. Supracaudal shields two T. emys, p. 22, 16. Testudo elongata. Testudo elongata, Blyth, J. A. 8. B. xxii, 1853, p. 639 ; Giinth. Rept. B. /. p. 8 ; Theob. Cut. p. 3 ; Bouleny. Cat. Chel. ^-c. p. 173. Shell considerably depressed, more than twice as long as deep, with flat vertebral region ; anterior and posterior margins slightly reverted, strongly serrated in young, feebly in old specimens ; shields concentrically striated, except in old specimens; nuchal i?resent (rarely absent), narrow and elongate ; supracaudal undivided, more or less incurved ; first vertebral usually nearly as long as broad in the adult, the others broader than long and nearly as broad as the costals. Plastron large, truncate anteriorly, deeply notched poste- riorly; suture between the pectoral shields as long as or longer than that between the humerals : suture between the gulars as long as or a little shorter than that between the pectorals ; anals forming a very short suture, or entirely separated by the anal notch ; axillary and inguinal moderate. Head moderate; a pair of large prtefrontal shields, usually followed by a nearly equally large frontal ; beak feebly hooked, tricuspid; alveolar ridge of upper jaw short and rather feeble. Anterior face of fore limbs with moderate, unequal- sized, imbricate scales, which are largest towards the outer side ; no enlarged tubercles on the thighs ; tail ending in a claw-like horny tubercle. Carapace and plastron greenish yellow, each shield with an irregular black spot or blotch, which may occupy its greater portion, or may be much broken up or indistinct. Length of shell 10| inches. Hah. Bengal (Chaibassa), Assam, the whole of Burma, Camboja, Cochin China, 17. Testudo leithii. Testudo leithii, Giinth. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 502, figs. ; Theob. Cat. p. 3 ; Bouleny. Cat. Chel. ^-c. p. 175. Shell very convex, not twice as long as deep, deeply notched anteriorly ; nuchal shield triangular ; posterior border of supra- caudal forming an angle, projecting beyond the marginals ; second vertebral shield longest ; shields concentrically striated. Plastron large, liind lobe notched behind and movable in the adult ; suture between the pectoral shields a little shorter than that between the humerals ; suture between the anals longer than that between the TESTUDO. 21 femorals; axillary and inguinal moderate. Head moderate; a pair of large prtefroutal shields, followed by a very large frontal ; beak scarcely hooked ; alveolar ridge of upper jaw short and feeble. Anterior face of fore limb covered with a few extremely large im- bricate bony scutes disposed in three longitudinal and five trans- verse series. Carapace yellow, each shield bordered anteriorly and laterally Mdth blackish brown; plastron yellow, each abdominal shield with a dark brown triangular or cuneiform marking. Length of shell 5 inches. _ Eab. Lower Egypt and the neighbouring part of Syria. The single specimen upon which the species was founded w^as said to be from Sind, where, however, this tortoise does not appear to have been rediscovered during the last twenty years. 18. Testudo elegans. Testudo elegaDS, Schoepf, Test. p. Ill, pi. xxv; Oiinth. Sept. B. I. p. 4 ; Theob. Cat. p. 2 ; Boulem/. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 161. Testudo megalopus, Blyth, J. A. 's. B. xxii, 1853, p. 640. Fig. 6. — Testudo elegans. Carapace very convex, dorsal shields often forming humps ; lateral margins nearly vertical ; posterior margin somewhat expanded and strongly serrated; no nuchal ; supracaudal undivided, incurved in the male ; shields strongly striated concentrically ; first vertebral longer than broad, the others broader than long, third at least as broad as the corresponcUng costal. Plastron large, truncated or openly notched m front, deeply notched, bifid behind ; suture between the numerals much longer than that between the fomorals ; suture be- tween the pectorals very short ; axillary and inguinal rather small. Head moderate; forehead swollen, convex, and covered with rather small and irregular shields ; beak feebly hooked, bi- or 22 TESTTJDINIDiE. tricuspid; edge of jaws denticulated; alveolar ridge of upper jaw strong. Outer-anterior face of fore limb with numerous un- equal-sized, large, imbricate, bony, pointed tubercles ; heel with large, more or less spur-like tubercles ; a group of large conical or sub- conical tubercles on the hinder side of the thigh. Carapace black, with yellow areolte from which yellow streaks radiate ; these streaks usually narrow and very numerous ; plastron likewise with black and yellow radiating streaks. Length of shell 10 inches. Hah. India (except Lower Bengal), extending west to Sind ; and Ceylon. 19. Testudo platynota. Testudo platynota, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxxii, 1863, p. 83 ; Theob. Cat. p. 2 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. S^c. p. 162. Very closely allied to the preceding, but carapace more regularly oval ; posterior border not or but very slightly expanded, and more feebly serrated ; vertebral shields flat. "Yellow rays on the dorsal shields wider and fewer, usually three to the right and three to the left of each shield ; plastron yellow, with some large black blotches but without radiating streaks. According to Anderson, the scales on the fore limb are fewer and all rounded, the sharp scales on the heel are absent, and the conical scales on the posterior portion of the thigh are very much smaller and not at all prominent. Hob. Upper Burma and Northern Pegu. 20. Testudo emys. Testudo emys, ScMeg. ^- Miill. in Temminch, Ver. Nat. Ncderl. Ind., Rept. p. 34, pi. iv ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 158. Geoemyda spinosa, part., Ca^itor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 1847, p. 607. Manouria fusca, Grag, P. Z. S. 1852, p. 134. Testudo phayrei, Blgth, J. A. 8. B. xxii, 1853, p. 639. Manouria emys, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 10 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 4. Testudo (Scapia) falconeri, Gray, P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 169, tigs. Shell considerably depressed, its depth not half its length ; ante- rior and posterior margins reverted, more or less strongly serrated ; nuchal present ; supracaudal shields two ; dorsal shields concentri- cally striated, often concave ; vertebrals mucli broader than long and at least as broad as costals. Plastron large, gular region some- what produced and usually notched, hind lobe deeply notched ; the pectoral shields may be widely separated from each other, or from a short median suture; axillary shield very small, inguinal large. Head moderate ; two large praefrontal shields and a large frontal ; beak not hooked ; jaws feebly denticulated, the alveolar surface of the upper jaw with a strong median ridge. Fore limb_ anteriorly with very large, bony, pointed, imbricate tubercles, forming four or five longitudinal series ; hind limb with very large bony tubercles on the plantar surface, with others larger, conical, and spur-like on GEOEM.YDA. 23 the heel, and a group of still larger conical tubercles on each side on the back of the thighs. Adult dark brown or blackish ; carapace of young yellowish brown, with dark-brown markings. Length of shell 18 inches. Hah. Assam, Biu-ma, Siam, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra. Genus GEOEMYDA, Gray, P.Z. S. 1834, p. 100 (part.). Neural plates mostly hexagonal, hinder lateral margins shortest. Plastron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with axillary Fie;. 7. — Skull of Geocmyda grandis. and inguinal peduncles just reaching the first and fifth costals ; entoplastron intersected by the humero-peetoral suture. Skull 24 TESTITDINIDilll. without bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces narrow, without median ridge. Upper surface of head covered with undivided skin. Digits with a short web. Tail very short, not longer in the young than in the adult. Distribution. Burma, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago, Three species are known. Habits terrestrial or semiaquatic. Fig, 8. — Shell of Geoemyda grandis. Synopsis of the Species. A. Anterior margin of shell serrated ; second verte- bral shield at least as broad as the second costal, much broader than long O. spinosa, p. 25. B. Anterior margin of shell not serrated ; second vertebral shield narrower than the second costal, not much broader than long. a. Carapace arched or tectiforni in a transverse section O. grandis, p. 25, b. Carapace much depressed, flat on the vertebral region G. depressa, p, 25. GEOEMTDA. 25 21. Geoemyda spinosa. Emys spinosa, Qrmj, Syn. Hejjt. p. 20; id. III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxvii, figs. 1, 2. . Geoemyda spinosa, Oray, P. Z.8. 1834, p. 100 ; id. 111. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Ivii, fig. 2 ; Gimth. Eept. B. 1. p. 18 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 5 ; Boideng. Cat. Chel. ^-c. p. 137. Carapace of adult much depressed, with broad flat vertebral region and an uninterrupted obtuse keel ; anterior and posterior margins serrated ; carapace of young more regularly arched, with a short keel or spinose tubercle on each costal shield, and the border strongly serrated all round, each marginal being produced in a spine, with or without smaller denticulation on each side ; the vertebral keel stronger than in the adult. Vertebral shields (2-4) much broader than long, at least as broad as the costals ; nuchal shield longer than broad. Plastron large ; the width of the bridge about equals the length of the posterior lobe, which is angularly emar- ginate ; as regards size, the plastral shields take the following order commencing with the largest :— abdominals, pectorals, femorals, humerals, anals, gulars ; the suture between the abdominals not or but slightly longer than that between the pectorals ; axillary and inguinal shields present. Tipper jaw bicuspid. Carapace brown above, reddish in the young, the vertebral keel lighter ; each plas- tral shield with yellow and dark-brown radiating streaks ; soft parts dark brown, with a yellowish spot on each side of the neck, near the ear. Length of carapace 8 inches. Hah. Tenasserim, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo. 22. Geoemyda grandis. Geoemyda grandis, Gray, A. M. N. H. (3) vi. 1860, p. 218 ; Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 19, pis. i & ii, figs, a & b ; Theoh. Cat. p. 5 ; Boideng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 138. Carapace arched or tectiform, not flattened on the vertebral region, which bears a strong but obtuse keel ; only the posterior margin serrated. Vertebral shields (1-3) not or but shghtly broader than long and narrower than the costals ; nuchal longer than broad. Plastron similar to that of G. spinosa ; the length of the suture between the pectoral shields at least two thirds that of the abdominals. Dark brown or blackish above; plastron and lower surface of marginals with black and yellow rays, either the black or the yellow predominating. Length of carapace 16 inches. Hah. Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam. 23. Geoemyda depressa. Geoemyda depressa, Anders. A. M. N. II. (4) xvi, 1875 p ^84 ■ id ^^■'^^"ol. Res Yunnan pK iv, Ivi, & Ixxv n "figs, i-s"; Bouleng. Cat. Cliel. S,-c. p. 139. > o i Geoemyda arakaiia, Theoh. Cat. p. vii. 26 TESTUDINID.^. Shell much depressed, the depression increasing from before backwards, the shell being somewhat expanded across the inguinal region ; only the posterior border serrated ; second vertebral about as long as broad, narrower than the costals ; nuchal longer than broad. Plastral shields as in O. spinosa and O. granclis. Carapace light brown ; plastron and lower surface of marginals yellow, the plastral shields with a few broad black rays ; the interval between the axillary and inguinal notches black. Head leaden, neck pale yellowish brown ; limbs of the latter colovu', with the large scales dark, almost black. Length of carapace 9g inches. Hab. Hills near Akyab, Arrakan, Genus NICORIA, Gray, Cat. Sh. Kept, i, p. 17 (1855). Neural plates mostly hexagonal, \^ ith the hinder lateral margins Fig. 9.— Shell of Nicona trijuga. shortest, or alternately tetragonal and octagonal. Plastron more or less extensively united to the carapace by suture, with short axillary NICORIA. 27 buttress, just reaching the first costal plate ; entoplastron intersected by the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with a bonj-- temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces without median ridge ; choanse between the eyes. Upper surface of head covered with undivided skin. Digits with a short web or nearly free. Tail short, not longer in the young than in the adidt. Distribution. Oriental Eegion, Central and South America. Two species occur within the limits of the present fauna. Habits terrestrial or seraiaquatic. Synopsis of Indian Species. Digits webbed ; plastron brown or black .... N. trijuga, p. 27. Digits nearly free ; plastron yellow N. tricarinata, p. 28. 24. Nicoria trijuga. Emys trijnga, ScMoeigg. Prodr. p. 41 (370) ; Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 29. Melanochelys trijuga, Gray, P. Z. S. 18G9, p. 187 ; Thcob. Cat. p. 12. Emys trijuga, var. maderaspatana, Anders. An. Zool. Pes. Yunnan, p. 729. Nicoria trijuga, Bouleng. Cat. Chelon, 8)"C. p. 121. Carapace moderately depressed, tricarinate. Vertebral shields in adult as long as broad or longer than broad, and much narrower than the costals; nuchal moderate or small, sometimes absent. Plastron large ; the width of the bridge equals or a little exceeds the length of the posterior lobe, which is broadly notched ; front lobe truncated. Axillary and inguinal shields present. Upper jaw not hooked, notched mesially ; the width of the mandible at the symphysis is less than the diameter of the orbit. Digits distinctly webbed. Tad shorter than the head. Shell brown, with a yellow stripe on each side of the plastron ; keels sometimes yellowish. Head brown, in the young reticalated with yellowish (in spirit), and with a yellowish line from the eye to above the tympanum. Length of shell 9 inches. Hah. Peninsula of India and Punjab. Var. thermalis. Emys thermalis, Lesson, Cent, Zool. p. 86, pi. xxix. Geoclemmys seba. Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. \, p. 18. Emys trijuga, Kelaart, Prodr. p. 177 ; Giinth. Rept. B. 1. pi. ii, fig. C. Melanochelys sebte, Theob. Cat. p. 12. Emys seboe, Anders, An. Zool. Res. p. 729. Shell dark brown in the young, with a broad yellow border to the plastron ; keels often yellowish ; shell of adult deep black, with a narrow yellow border to the plastron. Soft parts blackish ; head of young and halfgrown with irregular bright-orange spots, which disappear in the adult. Length of shell 9 inches. Ilab. Ceylon. 28 TESTUDINIDjE. Var. edeniana. Melanochelys edeniana, Theob. Cat. p. 12. Emys trijuga, var. burmana, Anders. An. Zool. lies. p. 729, pis. Ivii & Iviii. A larger race, with the shell deep black, the plastral border, and sometimes also the keels, yellowish. Light markings on the head, if present, small. Length of shell 16 inches. Hab. Burma. 25. Nicoria tricarinata. Geoemyda tricarinata, Blytk, J. A. S. B. xxiv, 1855, p. 714. Chaibassia tricarinata, Theoh. Cat. p. 6. Chaibassia tricarinata and tbeobaldi, Anders. An. Zool. Res. Yunnan, pp. 717, 718 ; Boidmg. Cat. Cliel. S^c. pp. 139, 140. Nicoria tricarinata, Lydekher, J. A. S. B. lyiii, 1889, p. 327, fig. Allied to the preceding species, but of more terrestrial habits, as indicated by the more convex carapace, abruptly descending pos- teriorly, and the very indistinct web between the digits. Scales on the limbs larger. The hypoplastron is frequently attached to the carapace by ligament ; no inguinal shield. Carapace dark brown or black, with the three keels yellow; plastron uniform yellow ; head black, with a broad yellow or reddish band on each side passing over the eye and the tympanum; a narrow similar band below the angle of the mouth, along the inferior margin of the lower jaw ; neck and hmbs blackish. Length of shell 5 inches. Hah. Bengal (Chaibassa) and Assam (Bisthnath Plain). I have recently had an opportunity of examining specimens of G. tricarinata and tJieobalcU, and regard them as belonging to one species, which cannot be generically separated from N. trijuc/a. Genus CYCLEMYS, Bell, P. Z. S. 1834, p. 17. Neural plates mostly hexagonal, posterior lateral margins shortest. Plastron united to carapace by hgament, and more or less distinctly divided into two lobes moving upon a ligamentous hinge between the hyo- and the hypoplastra; both the latter bones contributing to the formation of the bridge; entoplastron intei'sected by the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces without median ridge ; choauas between the eyes. Upper surface of head covered with undivided skin. Digits webbed or nearly free. Tail short, not longer in the young than in the adult. Distrihution. The greater part of the Oriental Eegion, east of the Bay of Bengal. Terrestrial or seraiaquatic. CYOI/EMTS. 29 The ligaineutous transverse hiuge, dividing the plastron into an anterior and a posterior moiety, may be indistinct, and is nearly always so in qnite young specimens. These may, however, be readily distinguished from young of the preceding genus by the hooked upper jaw. Fig. 10. — Shell of Cyclemys amboinensis. Synopsis of Burmese Sjpecies. A. Plasti-on emarginate posteriorly ; posterior margin of carapace serrated. a. Suture between pectoral shield and mar- ginals longer than that between abdomi- nal and marginals C. platynota, p. 30. b. Suture between pectoral and marginals sliorter than that between abdominal and marginals. a'. Carapace unicari)iate C. d/ior, p. 30. b'. Carapace tricariuate c. niouhuli, p. .31. B. Plastron not notched posteriorly ; carapace tricariuate in the youug; posterior margin not serrated C. amboinensis, p. 31. 30 TESTTOINIDiE. 26 . Cyclemys platynota. Emys pktynota, Cray, P. Z. S. 1834, p. 54 ; id. 111. Ind. Zwd. ii, pi. Ivii, iig. 1. Cyclemys platynota, Gray, Cut. 8h. JRept. i, p. 43; liuukny. Cat. Chcl. ^'c. p. 130. Notochelys platynota, Gibdh. Eept. B. I. p. 17; Theoh. Cat. p. 10. Carapace depressed, angular, the vertebral region flat, with an interrupted obtuse keel ; posterior margin serrated ; six, rarely seven, vertebral shields, tbe small additional shield intercalated between the fourth and fifth ; vertebrals (except the first) much broader than long, at least as broad as the costals. Plastron narrower than the opening of the shell, hind lobe openly emargiuate, connected with the carapace by a distinct bridge, the width of which is contained twice and a half to twice and two thirds in the length of the plas- tron ; the hyo- and bypoplastral bones contribute to an equal degree to the formation of the bridge ; no distinct transverse binge ; a large inguinal shield ; the suture between the pectoral shield and the marginals longer than that between the abdominal and the marginals ; the median suture between the pectoral shields as long as or a little longer than that between the abdominals. Hook of the upper jaw bicuspid, divided by a median groove. Digits exten- sively webbed ; claws long, curved, sharp. Front part of arm with broad, band-like transverse shields. Carapace reddish brown, or yellowish brown with radiating brown lines ; young with a pair of round black spots on each vertebral shield, aud one or two similar spots on each costal ; plastron yellow with brown spots, or brown with the sutures between the shields yellow. Head yellowish brown ; neck brown, with irregular yellowish streaks, the broadest of which extends from the posterior corner of the eye. Length of shell 9g inches. Hah. Mergui, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo. 27. Cyclemys dhor. Emys dhor, part.. Gray, Syn. Eept. p. 20. Emys dentata, Gray, III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Iviii, fig. 2. Cyclemys oldhamii. Gray, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 178 ; Giinth. Eept. B. I. p. 15, pi. V, ficr. B. Cyclemys dentata, Theob. Cat. p. 8. Cyclemys dhor, Bonleng. Cat. Chel. ^-c. p. 131. Carapace depressed, with a single, obtuse keel ; posterior margin serrated ; vertebral shields as broad as long or broader than long, narrower than the costals. Plastron narrower than the opening of the shell, hind lobe angularly notched, connected with the carapace by a distinct bridge, the width of which is contained twice aud three fourths to three times in the length of tbe plastron ; the hyo- and hy])oplastral bones contribute in a nearly equal degree to the formation of the bridge ; the transverse hinge between the hyo- and hypoplastrals, which does not correspond with the curved suture between the pectoral and abdominal shields, is only deve- OYOLEMTS. 31 loped in adult specimens ; a small inguinal shield may be present ; the siitin-e between the pectoral shield and the marginals shorter than that between the abdominal and the marginals ; the longest median suture is that between the pectorals. Hook of upper jaw bicuspid. _ Digits distinctly webbed, with sharp claws. Front part of arm with broad transverse scales. Carapace brown, or yellowish brown spotted with dark brown ; plastron yellowish or pale brown in the young, with dark brown spots or radiating lines ; in the adidt, dark brown. Neck with dark and light longitudinal lines. Length of shell 7g inches. Hah. Malay Archipelago and Peninsula, Camboja, Siam, Burma (Pegu, Tenasserim). 28. Cyclemys mouhoti. Oyclemys mouhotii, Gray, A. M. N. H. (3) x, 18G2, p. 157 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 132. Pyxidea mouhotii, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 16, pi. iv, fi^. D ; Theoh. Cat. p. 9. r ; 1 ; D > Carapace depressed, angular, the vertebral region ilat, with three strong parallel keels ; posterior margin serrated ; vertebral shields much broader than long and as broad as the costals ; first vertebral as long as broad or broader than long, narrower than second. Plastron a little narrower than the opening of the shell, hind lobe angularly emarginate; bridge broad and very short, its width about one third the length of the plastron ; the hvpoplastral bone and the abdominal shield have a much greater share in the forma- tion of the bridge than the hyoplastral and pectoral ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals. Hook of the upper jaw strong, entire. Digits nearly free ; limbs covered \\ith large scales. Carapace yellowish or reddish brown ; plastron yellowish with or without a few large dark-brown spots ; neck of young brown, spotted with yellow. Length of shell 6|' inches. Hah. Cachar, Siam, Cochin China. 29. Cyclemys amboinensis. Testudo amboiuensis, Baud. Hejjt. ii, p. 309. Cistudo amboinensis, Graij, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxvii, fi^s 3 4 Cuora amboinensis, Gray, Cat. Sh. llcpt. i, p. 41 ; Gmdh. liLt'.B. 1 p. 12, pi. IV, tigs. A, B ; Theoh. Cat. p. 7. r • Cyclemys amboinensis, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. i^-c, p. 133. Carapace depressed and tricarinate in the young, usually very convex and without or with a single keel in adult females : Verte- bral shields as long as broad or a little longer than broad in the adult, broader m the young, much narrower than the costals. Plastron as large as the opening of the shell in the adult, without distinct bridge; no anal notch; Ihe line of junction between the 32 TBSTUDINIDiE. hyoplastron aud the carapace shorter than that between the hypo- plastron and the carapace ; pectoral shields as long as the abdo- minals or shorter, as long as the humerals or slightly longer ; axillary and inguinal small or absent. Head rather small ; upper jaw scarcely hooked, without any emargination. Front part of arm with large transverse scales. Digits moderately webbed, with sharp claws. Carapace brown or blackish ; plastron yellow with large black spots, or dark brown with the suture between the shields yellow ; in the very young the black spots of the plastron are confluent into a broad longitudinal zone, the borders of the plastron being yellowish ; head and neck brown above, yellow beneath ; a yellow band borders the head and neck superiorly, meeting its fellow above the nostrils ; a second yellow band passes through the eye and is separated from the upper jaw by a dark- broAvn band ; ear yellow. Length of shell 8 inches. Hah. Pegu, Tenasserim, Siam, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago, eastward to the Moluccas. Genus BELLIA, Gray, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 197. Neural plates hexagonal, anterior lateral margins shortest. Plastron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with long axillary and inguinal buttresses, the latter anchylosed between the fifth aud sixth costal plates ; entoplastron intersected by the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces without median ridge ; choanjB between the eyes. Skin of hinder part of head divided into small shields. Digits webbed. Tail very short, not longer in the young than in the adult. Distribution. Burma, Siam, Malay Peninsula and Archipelago. Semiaquatic. 30. Bellia crassicoUis. Emys crassicollis, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 21 ; id. III. hid. Zool. i, pi. Ixxvi, fig. 2 ; Cantor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 1847, p. 609 ; Guntli. Rept. B. I. p. 28, pi. iv, fig-. E. Emys nigra, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv, 1855. p. 713, and xxxii, 1863, p. 81. Bellia crassicollis, Gray,P.Z.S. 1869, p. 197; Boideng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 98. Bellia crassilabris, Theob. Cat. p. 10. Carapace moderately depressed, tricarinate in the young, the keels, especially the laterals, becoming indistinct in old specimens ; vertebral region flattened in the adult male; posterior border serrated; nuchal small, broadest behind; posterior side of first vertebral not half the length of the shield in the adult ; verlebrals 2 to 4, as long as broad or a little broader than long, much nar- rower than the costals, narrowly in contact with each other iu old BELLIA. 33 specimens ; in the Jatter, the antero-lateral sides are convex, the postero-lateral Jonger and concave. Plastron smaller than the opening of the shell, truncate anteriorly, angularly notched pos- teriorly, feebly concave in the males, strongly angulated laterally Fig. 11.— Shell oiBellia crassicoUis. m young specimens, feebly in old ones; the width of the bridge about equals the length of the hind lobe ; relative size of plastral shields very variable; abdominals usually forming the longest median suture, humerals the shortest; axillary and inguinal shields present. Head rather large ; snout very short, not prominent • upper jaw strongly curved on each side, not hooked ; the width of the mandible at the symphysis is a little less than the diameter of the orbit. Digits webbed to the claws ; front of forearm and outer side of leg with large transverse band-like scales. Shell dark brown or black, plastron usually with yellowish variegation, or bands following the sutures of the shields, or a broad band along each side. Soft parts dark brown or black ; some large yellow spots on the head, viz. above the eye, above the ear, below the ear. D 34 TESTTJDINIDiE. and on each side of the mandible ; these spots become indistinct in old specimens. Length of shell 7 inches. Hah. Tenasserim, Siara, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra. Genus DAMONIA, Gray, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 193. Neural plates hexagonal, anterior lateral mai'gins shortest. Plas- tron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with long axillary and inguinal peduncles ; the latter auchylosed between the fifth and sixth, exceptionally fourth and fifth, costal plates ; entoplastron intersected by the humero-pectoral suture. Slcull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces very broad, without median ridge ; choansB behind the level of the eyes. Skin of posterior part of head divided into small shields. Digits webbed. Tail short or moderate. Distribution. East Indies, China, Japan. Semiaquatic. A single species is found in India. 31, Damonia hamiltonii. Emys hamiltonii, Gray, Syn. Itept. pp. 21, 72 ; Giinth. Rent. B. I. p. 32. Emys guttata {non Schn.), Gray, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxvi, fig. 1. Damonia hamiltonii. Gray, P. Z. 8. 1869, p. 195 ; Theob. Cat. p. 11 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chel. ^-o. p. 93. Melanochelys pictus, Murray, A. M. N. E. {5) xiv, 1884, p. 107. Carapace much elevated, with three interrupted keels or series of nodose prominences corresponding to the vertebral and costal shields ; posterior border strongly serrated in the young, feebly in the adult ; nuchal moderate, broader posteriorly than anteriorly ; first vertebral not or scarcely broader anteriorly than posteriorly ; second and third vertebrals broader than long in the young, nearly as long as broad in the adult, narrower than the costals. Plastron large, angulate laterally, truncate anteriorly ; posterior lobe much narrower than the opening of the shell, nearly as long as the width of the bridge, deeply notched posteriorly. Head rather large ; snout very short, not projecting ; upper jaw emarginate mesially ; the width of the mandible at the symphysis nearly equals the horizontal diameter of the orbit ; a large shield, sometimes divided into three, covers the upper surface of the snout and the crown; one shield round the upper jaw and one on each side between the eye and the ear. Digits webbed to the claws. Tail extremely short. Shell dark brown or blackish, elegantly marked with yellow spots and radiating streaks. Soft parts dark brown or blacldsh, with round yellow spots, largest on the head and neck. Length of shell 9 inches. Hab. Bengal, Punjab, Upper Sind. MOBENTA. 35 Genus MORENIA, Gray, Suppl. Cat. Sh. Eept. i, p. 62, 1870. Neural plates hexagonal, anterior lateral margins shortest. Plas- tron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with short axil- lary and inguinal buttresses, just reaching the first and fifth costal plates ; entoplastron anterior to the hiimero-pectoral suture. Skull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces very broad, that of upper jaw with a strong tuberculate median ridge ; edge of jaws strongly toothed ; choante behind the level of the eyes. Upper surface of snout and crown covered with a single shield, behind which the skin is corrugated. Digits extensively webbed. Tail short. Distribution. Northern India and Burma. Aquatic; herbivorous. Synopsis of tlie Species. Suture between abdominal shields longer than that between pectorals M. ocellata, p. 3?. Suture between abdominal shields not longer than that between pectorals M. petersii, p. .36. 32. Morenia ocellata. Emys ocellata, I)%im. (§• Bibr. Erp. Gen. ii, p. 329, pi. xv, fig. 1 ; Giinth. Bept. B. I. p. 22. Emys berdmorei, Blyth, J, A. S. B. xxvii, 1858, p. 281. Morenia berdmorei, Gray, Sujypl. Cat. Sh. Bept. i, p. 62 ; Theoh. Cut. p. 17. Batagur (Morenia) ocellata, Anders. An. Zool. Bes. Yunnan, p. 755, pla. Ix & Ixi, Morenia ocellata, Bouleng. Cat. Cliel. 8fc. p. 66. Carapace moderately depressed, with a strong, interrupted, tubercular keel in the young, which becomes fainter in the adult ; margin not serrated ; nuchal narrow ; first vertebral not or but little broader anteriorly than posteriorly, lateral borders usually sinuous ; second, third, and fourth vertebrals broader than long or as long as broad, narrower than the costals. Plasti'on large, angulate laterally, truncate anteriorly, notched posteriorly ; the width of the bridge exceeds the length of the hind lobe ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals ; suture between the gulars as long as that between the humerals or shorter ; axillary and inguinal large. Head moderate ; snout short, obtuse ; upper jaw notched mesially, denticulated ; lower jaw strongly serrated, flat beneath, its width at the symphysis equalling the diameter of the orbit. Scales on limbs small ; digits broadly webbed. Tail very short. Carapace brown, each shield of the disk with a large central blackish ocellus encircled with yellowish ; lower surface uniform yellow. Head olive, with yellow d2 36 TESTUDINIDJE, markings ; a yellow strealc running above the canthus rostralis, supi'aciliary edge and temple, and another from behind the eye to above the ear. Length of shell : c? 6 inches, 5 9 inches. Hah. Burma. 33. Morenia petersii. Emys ocellata {non B. &• B.), Bhjth, J. A. S. B. xxvii, 1858, p. 281. Morenia ocellata, Theob. Cat, p. 18. Batag'ur (Morenia) petersi, Anders. An. Zool. Res. Yunnan, p. 7G1, pi. lix. Morenia petersii, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 08. Very closely allied to the preceding. Snout much more pointed and relatively longer. Suture between the pectorals not shorter than that between the abdominals. Carapace black, each vertebral with a narrow yellowish mesial line ; the last four vertebrals with a yellowish linear horseshoe mark with the ends directed forwards ; each costal with an ocellus placed rather low and formed by a narrow yellowish line, above which are some irregular looped lines of similar colour ; the nuchal and each marginal with a vei-tical narrow yellowish mesial streak ; jjlastrou yellow. Three yellow streaks on each side of the head, the lower extending from below the nostril to the angle of the mouth. Length of shell : c? 5 inches, $ 8 inches. Hah. Bengal. Genus HARDELLA, Gray, Suppl. Cat. Sh. Eept. i, p. 58, 1870. Neural plates elongate, hexagonal, anterior lateral margins shortest. Plastron extensi\ ely united to the carapace by suture, with extremely developed axillary and inguinal buttresses, the for- mer connected with the first rib, the latter anchylosed between the fifth and sixth costal plates ; entoplastron anterior to the humero- pectoral suture. Skull Avith a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces very broad, that of upper jaw with a strong tubercular median ridge ; edge of jaws strongly toothed ; choanaB behind the level of the eyes. Upper surface of snout and crown covered with a single shield, behind which the skin is corrugated. Digits extensively webbed. Tail short. Distrihution. Northern Lidia. Thoroughly aquatic ; herbivorous. 34. Hardella thurgi. Emys thm-jii, Oray, Syn. Rept. p. 22 ; id. 111. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxiii. Emys tburgii, Ounlli. Rept. B. 1. p. 24. BATAGTOE. 37 Batagur thurgii, Theoh. Cat. Eept. Mus. As. Sue. 1868, p. 12 ; id. Cat. p. 23. Kacluiga oldhami, Graij, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 200, fig. 14. Hardolla thurgi, Omv, Suppl. Cat. Sh. Rent, i, p. 58 ; Boulenq. Cat. CM. p. 63. V » J Hardella indi, Gray, Suppl. Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 58. Carapace modei-ately depressed, with an interrupted tubercular keel; margin not serrated; nuchal narrow, broadest posteriorly; first vertebral usually narrower anteriorly than posteriorly, lateral borders usually slightly sinuous ; second, third, and fourth verte- brals considerably broader than long in the young, nearly as long as broad in the adult. Plastron large, angulate laterally, truncate anteriorly, angularly notched posteriorly ; the width of the bridge exceeds the length of the posterior lobe ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals ; suture .between tlie gulars as long as that between the humerals or a little shorter (at least three fourths) ; inguinal large, axillary smaller. Head moderate ; snout short, obtuse ; upper jaw notched mesially, serrated ; lower jaw very strongly dentated, flat inferiorly, its width at the symphysis a little less than the diameter of the orbit. Limbs with transversely enlarged, band-like scales. Carapace dark brown or black ; plas- tron yellowish, with a large blackish spot occupying the greater part of each shield, or entirely black. Soft parts dark brown ; a yellow band across the prtefrontal region, extending on each side, through the eye, to above the ear ; another from below each eye, passing below the nostrils. Length of shell 18 inches ( ? ). Males much smaller. Hah. Northern India (Ganges and Indus systems). Genus BATAGUE, Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 35, 1855. Neural plates elongate, hexagonal, anterior lateral margins shortest. Plastron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with extremely developed axillary and inguinal buttresses," the for- mer connected with the first rib, the latter anchylosed between the fifth and sixth costal plates ; entoplastron anterior to the humero- pectoral suture. Skull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces very broad, that of the upper jaw with two strong, slightly den- ticulated median ridges ; edge of jaws denticulated ; choanje be- hind the level of the eyes. Limbs somewhat approaching the paddle-shape, very broadly webbed, with four- claws. Tail very short. ^ Distribution. Bengal, Burma, Malay Peninsula. Thorouo-hly aquatic ; herbivorous. ° 38 TESTUDINID.E. 35. Batagur baska. Emys batagur, Gray, Si/ii. Iie2)t. p. 23 ; id. III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. lix. Emys baslia, Gray, Si/71. liept. p. 24 ; id. 111. Ind. Zool. \, pi. Ixxv. Tetraouyx baska, Dum. 8f Bibr. Erp. Gen. ii. p. 341 ; T/ieob. Cat. p. 25. Tetraonyx batagur, Gi-ay, Cat. Tort. p. 29. Tetraonyx affinis, part., Cantor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 1847, p. 612. Batagur baska. Gray, Cat. Sh. Hept. i, p. 35, pi. xvi ; Giinth. Jtept. B. I. p. 37, pi. iii, figs. B, B' ; Bouleny. Cat. Chel. (^c. p. Gl. Carapace moderately depressed, with a A'ertebral keel in the yoimg, which keel disappears in the adult ; nuchal broader than long ; first vertebral as broad in front as behind, or a little broader ; vertebrals 2 to 4 subequal, much broader than long in the young, nearly as long as broad and as broad as the costals in the adult ; the postero-lateral border of the third vertebral strongly concave. Plastron large, strongly angulate laterally in the young, convex in the adult, truncate anteriorly, angularly notched posteriorly ; the width of the bridge exceeds the length of the posterior lobe ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals, the shortest that between the gulars, the latter never more than half that be- tween the humerals ; inguinal large, axillary smaller. Head rather small ; snout pointed, produced, directed upwards ; jaws with denticulated edge, upper feebly notched mesially ; the width of the lower jaw at the symphysis nearly equals the diameter of the orbit. Limbs with transversely enlarged, band-like scales. Upper surface of shell and soft parts olive-brown, lower siurface yellowish. Length of shell 21 inches. Hah. Bengal, Burma, Malay Peninsula. Genus KACHUGA, Gray, Cat. Sh. Eept. i, p. 35, 1855. Fourth vertebral shield elongate, embracing four or five neural plates ; neural plates hexagonal, anterior lateral margins shortest. Plastron extensively united to the carapace by suture, with ex- tremely developed axillary and inguinal buttresses, the former con- nected with or nearly reaching the first rib, the latter anchylosed between the fifth and sixth costal plates ; entoplastron anterior to the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with a bony temporal arch ; alveolar surfaces very broad, that of upper jaw with a median ridge ; edge of jaws denticulated ; choanse on a level with the posterior border of the eyes, or behind it. Upper surface of head covered with undivided skin. Digits very broadly webbed. Tail very short. Distribution. India and Burma. Thoroughly aquatic ; her- bivorous. KACHTJGA. 39 Synopsis of the Species. A. Third vertebral shield forming a broad suture "with the fourth, which embraces four neural plates. a. Second vertebral shield with straight trans- verse posterior border. a' . Alveolar surface of upper jaw extremely ' broad, the median ridge nearer the outer than the inner margin ; bony choanie be- hind the orbits . K. lineata, p. 40. b' . Alveolar surface of upper jaw narrower, the median ridge nearer the inner than the outer margin ; bOny choan® between the orbits . K. trivittata, ^. 41. Fig. 12.— Shell of Kaclmga trivittata. h. Second vertebral shield pointed or produced behind, entering the third K. dhongoka, p. 41. B. Fourth vertebral shield pointed in front, nar- rowly in contact with the third, embracing five neural plates. a. Third vertebral quadrangular, much longer than broad, posterior border straight or slightly convex K, amithii, p. 42. 40 TESTDDINIDiE. b. Third vertebral shield pentagonal, pointed be- hind. «'. Second vertebral shield much shorter than third, embraciug two neui'al plates. a". Posterior margin of carapace strongly ser- rated ; 26 marginal shields (including caudals) K. sylhelensis, p. 42. b" . Posterior margin not serrated K. intermedia, p. 43. 6** Second vertebral shield as long as broad, embracing three nenral plates K. tectum, p. 43. 36. Kachuga lineata. Emys dhor, part., Grai/, Syn. Rept. p. 20. . Emys dentata, part, Gray, Syn. Rept. errata, & pis. viii, ix ; id. III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Iviii, fig. 1. Emys lineata, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 23. Emys kachuga, Gray, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. Ixxiv. Batagur lineata. Gray, Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 35, pi. xvii ; Giinth. Rspt. B. I. p. 39. Batagur ellioti, Gray, P. Z. S. 1862, p. 264 ; Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 40, pi. iii, figs. A, A'. Kachuga hardwickii, Gray, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 202. ? Kachuga fusca. Gray, Suppl. Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 56. Kachuga lineata. Gray, Suppl. Cut. Sh. Rept. i, p. 56 ; Boideng. Cat. Chel. ^c. p. 54. Batagur kachuga, Theoh. Cat. p. 19. Carapace of young strongly keeled, the keels tubercular poste- riorly on the second and third vertebral shields, posterior margin strongly crenulated ; the marginal serrature disappears in adoles- cent specimens, and the vertebral keel, after beiug reduced to a series of low knobs, vanishes entirely in the full-grown, the cara- pace of which is very convex. Nuchal shield small, trapezoid, broadest posteriorly ; first vertebral as broad iu front as behind, or broader ; second vertebral longer than third, with which it forms a straight transverse suture ; fourth longest and forming a broad suture with the third ; second vertebral broader than long iu the young, as long as broad in the adult. Plastron angulate laterally in the young ; antei'ior and posterior lobes rather narrow and shorter than the width of the bridge, truncate anteriorly, openly notched posteriorly ; the longest median suture between the abdominals, the shortest between the guhirs, which equals about one half that between the humerals ; the suture between gulars and humerals forms an obtuse angle, and so does that between humerals and pectorals; inguinal large, axillary smaller. Head moderate; snout obtuse, moderately prominent ; jaws with denti- culated edge, upper not notched mesially ; alveolar surfaces very broad, the median ridge of the upper jaw being somewhat nearer the outer than the inner margin ; choanae behind the line of the posterior borders of the orbits ; the width of the lower jaw at the symphysis equals the diameter of the orbit. Limbs with trans- KACIIUGA. 41 versely enlarged, band-like scales. Brown above, yellowish below ; nape with red longitudinal lines. Length of shell 15 inches. ^ Eab. Northern Peninsular India ; Granges, Kistna, and Grodavari rivers; Burma. 37. Kachuga trivittata. Emys trivittata, Bum. ^~ Bibr. Erp. Gen. ii, p. 33 1. Batagur trivittata, Theob. Jour. Linn. Soc. x, 18(58, v>. 14, and Cat. p. 20. ' ' ^ ' . Kachiiga pegiiensis et triliiieata, Grai/, P. Z. S. 1869, p. 200. Batagur iravadica, Anders. An. Zoof. Res. Tuntian, p. 730, pis. Ixiv Ixv, Ixviii, & Ixix. ' f > r , Kachuga trivittata, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. t^c. p. 55. Differs from the preceding in the much narrower alveolar sur- face of the jaws, the median ridge of the upper jaw being nearer the inner than the outer margin ; choante between the orbits ; the width of the lower jaw at the symphysis is less than the dia- meter of the orbit. Considerable uncertainty prevails in the dis- tinction of isolated shells of this species from the preceding. The male B. trivittata is characterized by three black longitudimal bands on the carapace, which are absent in the female according to Theobald, whose opinion I am disposed to endorse rather than that of Anderson, who makes a distinct species (5. iravadica) for the specimens (females and young males) without bands. Length of shell 22 inches. Hab. Irrawaddy river from Bhamo to Rangoon ; Tenasserim. 38. Kachuga dhongoka. Emys dhongoka, Oratj, III. Ind. Zool. ii, pi. Ix. Batagur dhongoka, Gray, Cat. Sh. i^e/^^ i, p. 36, pi. xviii: Giinth. Itept. B. I. p. 42 ; T/ieob. Cat. p. 22. ' ^ ' Pangshura leithii, Gray, Sujopl. Cat. Sh. Rept. i, p. 60. Kachuga dhongoka, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. 8fc. p. 56. Carapace much depressed, keeled in the young, the keels reduced to a knob on each of the anterior vertebrals in the adult ; posterior margin crenulated. Nuchal shield small, trapezoid, broadest behmd ; first vertebral usually narrower in front than behind, with sinuous lateral borders ; second vertebral broader than long in the young, longer than broad in the adult, posterior border pointed or more or less produced, fitting into an emargination of the third vertebral, which is shorter than either the second or the third Plastron angulate laterally in the young ; front lobe truncate, hind lobe angularly notched, shorter than the width of the bridge ; the longest median suture is between the abdominals ; suture between the gulars as long or nearly as long as that between the humerals • the suture between gulars and humerals forms a right angle and 42 TESTUDINIDiE. that between humenils and pectorals a straight transverse line ; inguinal large, axillary smaller. Jaws and soft parts as iu K. tnvittata. Brown above, yellowish below ; carapace with three more or less distinct black longitudinal bands. Length of shell 14 inches. Hah. Northern India (Qanges and Indus) ; and Poona in the Deccau, if a specimen obtained by Dr. Leith was correctly labelled. 39. Kachuga smitMi. Batagur smithii, Gray, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 253. Pangshiu'a smithii, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 36 ; Theob. Cat. p. 15. Kachuga smithii^ Boulewj. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 57, pi. i. Carapace much depressed, feebly keeled. Nuchal shield small, trapezoidal, broadest posteriorly ; first vertebral with sinuous lateral borders, usually a little narrower in front thau behind ; second vertebral shortest, broader than long, usually with straight or slightly convex posterior border ; third vertebral considerably longer than broad, subquadrangular, posterior border straight or slightly convex ; fourth vertebral longest, tapering anteriorly and forming a narrow suture with the third ; fifth vertebral much broader than the others. Plastron feebly angulated laterally, large; front lobe rounded, hind lobe angularly notched and as long as or a little shorter than the width of the bridge ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals, which about equals the length of the front lobe ; gulars usually shorter than the suture between the humerals, their suture with the latter shields forming a right angle ; inguinal large, axillary smaller. Head moderate ; snout short, obtuse, feebly prominent ; jaws with denticulated edge, upper not notched mesially ; alveolar surface of upper jaw broad, the median ridge nearer the inner than the outer border ; bony choanae between the orbits ; the width of the lower jaw at the symphysis is less than the diameter of the orbit. Fore limbs with large transverse scales. Pale olive-broAvn above ; dorsal keel usually blackish ; plastral shields and lower surface of mar- ginals dark brown, bordered with yellow. Length of shell 8| inches. Hab. Upper Granges and Indus with their tributaries. 40. Kachuga sylhetensis. Pangshura sylhetensis, Jerdo7i, F. A. S. B. 1870, p. 69 ; Theob. Cat. p. 15. Kachuga sylhetensis, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. 8fc. p. 57. Carapace elevated, tectiform, the keel ending in an elevated pointed nodosity on the third vertebral shield, forming a strong ridge on the last two vertebrals ; posterior margin very strongly serrated ; 26 marginal shields, instead of 24 as in all other species of the genus ; first vertebral shield much broader in front than behind in the half-gi'own specimens, equally broad in front and KACHUGA. 43 behind in the adult ; second vertebral shortest, broader than long, with straight posterior border ; third A'ertebral considerably longer than broad, pointed behind, and forming a very narrow sutui-e with the fourth, which tapers anteriorly and equals in length the first and second together ; fifth vertebral not broader than fourth, pointed posteriorly. Plastron large, feebly angulate laterally, truncate anteriorly, angularly notched posteriorly ; the longest median suture is that between the abdominals ; sutui-e between the gulars as long as or shorter than that between the humerals ; suture between gulars and humerals forming a right angle ; inguinal and axillary large. Carapace olive-bi'own, usually with a lighter streak along the keel ; plastral shields dark brown with a broad yellow border. Length of shell 7 inches. Hah. Sylhet and Assam. 41. Kachuga intermedia. Emys (Pangshura) tectum, var. intermedia, Blanf. J. A. S. B. xxxix 1870, pt. 2, p. 339, pi. xiv, and xlviii, 1879, p. 110. Kachuga intermedia, Bouleng. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 58. Shell as in K. tectum, but second vertebral shield shortest and broader than long. Carapace brown ; plastral shields black, with yellow anterior and lateral margins. Head dull olive, paler below ; a ferruginous spot behind the eye, and three others, less well marked, in a convex line on the occiput ; limbs uniform olive. Length of shell 4| inches. Hab. Hasdo river, Bilaspur, Central Provinces ; Godavari. This Tortoise is only known to me from Blanf ord's description. 42. Kachuga tectum. Emys tecta, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 23, pi. v ; id. III. Ind. Zool. i, pL Ixxn. Emys tentoria. Gray, P. Z. S. 1834, p. 64. Pangshura tecta, Gunth. Rept. B. 1. p. 33 ; Theob. Cat. p. 13 Pangshura tentoria, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 34, pi. iv, figs. 0, C'j Theoh. Cat* p. X4. Pangshura flaviventer, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 35: Theob. Cat. p. 15 Kachuga tectum, Bouleruj. Cat. Chel. 8fc. p. 58. Carapace elevated, tectiform, the keel ending in a nodosity on the thu-d vertebral shield ; posterior margin not or but very sliohtly serrated ; nuchal shield small, square or trapezoidal ; first vertebral very variable m shape, usually with straight lateral borders diverg- ing forwards in the half-grown specimens, narrower in front and With sinuous lateral borders in the adult; second vertebral as lono- as or a little longer than second, frequently obtusely pointed behind ; third vertebral pointed behind, in contact with the point o± the very elongate fourth; fifth vertebral broader than the others. Plastron large, strongly angulated laterally in the youn'r truncate anteriorly, angularly notched posteriorly ; proportions of 44 rLATl'STEENlDiE. plastral shields very variable ; suture between gulars and humerals forming a right angle ; axillary and inguinal large. Head mode- rate ; snout short, rather pointed and prominent ; jaws with den- ticulated edge, upper not notched mesially ; alveolar surface of upper jaw with the median ridge nearer the inner than the outer border ; bony choanse between the orbits ; the width of the lower jaw at the symphysis is less than the diameter of the orbit. Fore limbs with large transverse scales. Carapace olive, that of young with some black spots, especially on the posterior edge of the first three vertebrals ; an orange vertebral band and a narrow yeUow margin ; carapace more uniform in the adult ; plastron orange or red, with black spots, or brown with a yellowish anterior and lateral border to each shield, in one specimen uniform yellow. Head blacldsh ; jaws and sides of crown orange ; neck with numerous yellow lines on a blackish ground ; limbs dark olive, spotted with yellow. Length of shell up to nearly 9 inches. Hah. Gauges and Indus systems. Family III. PLATYSTERNID^. Shell covered with epidermal shields. Caudal vertebra? mostly opisthoccelous. Neck completely retractile within the shell. Parietal bones \\'idely separated from squamosals ; temporal region completely roofed over. Digits moderately elongate ; phalanges with condyles ; claws four or five. A single genus and species, remarkable for its large head and long tail. Genus PLATYSTEENUM, Gray, P. Z.S. 1831, p. 106. Plastron moderately large, connected with the carapace by liga- ment; a series of inframarginal shields separates the plastral shields from the marginals. Head very large, covered above with an undivided horny shield; jaws very strong, hooked, without additional alveolar ridges. Digits feebly webbed, all except the outer toe clawed. Tail very long, subcylmdrical, compressed at the end, with rings of squarish shields. A single species. 43. Platysternum megacephalum. PlatysterBiim megacephalum, Grm/, P. Z. S. 1831, p. 107 ; id. III. Inch Zool. ii, pi. Mi ; Gilnth. Rei^t. B. I. p. 43 ; Bouleng. Cat. Chd. 6rc. p. 46. Platysternon peguense, Gray, Supjil. Cat. Sh. Eept. i, p. /Oj Theob. Cat. p. 26. PLATYSTERNTTM. 45 _ Carapace much depressed, oval, with a feeble median keel poste- riorly ; anterior border broadly emarginate. Nuchal shield very small, broader tlian long ; vertebrals broader than long, as broad as the costals or a little narrower, much broader in the young, in which the posterior border of the carapace is distinctly serrated. Fig. 13.— Skull of Plaiystcrnum megacepJialum Jl^?f-u'?%"^.,P^''f posterior angularly cmardnate • the wid h of the bridge contained four or ^ve imJ iTv^Kn^^i upper suilace of head and temple with aii undivided horny scute. 46 PLATYSTERNIDiE. Throat with round flat tubercles. Anterior surface of arm with large squarish scutes. Hinder side of thighs with large conical tubercles. Tail at least as long as the shell. Carapace and soft parts of adult olive-brown ; plastron yellowish brown. Young more elegantly marked : — Upper surface of head and neck and carapace olive-brown, with a few dark brown dots on the crown and one in the centre of each costal scute ; the edge of the carapace yellow ; jaws yellow : a yellow black-edged streak on each side along the temple ; sides and lower surface of neck and limbs whitish ; upper surface of limbs blackish ; plastron yellow, with a symmetrical black marking along the middle ; tail blackish above, yellow w ith a black median line beneath. Head and neck 3 inches, carapace 6, tail 6^. -pig. 14.— Shell Plafysievnum megacephahm. A rare tortoise, found in streams in Burma and Siam ; the speci- mens on record are mostly from Pegu and Tenasserim. It is also known from Southern China, where, according to Swinhoe (P. Z. 6. 1870, p. 409), it occurs in the western parts of Kwangtung Province and in Kwangse. CHELONIDiE. 47 Family IV. CHELONID^. Shell covered with epidermal shields. Caudal vertebrte pro- coelous. Neck incompletely retractile ; cervical A^ertebrfe short. Fig. 15.— Skull of Chelone imlricata. Temple completely roofed over ; parietal bone in contact wilh the squamosal. Lnnbs paddle-shapcd ; phalanges without condyles • claws otie or two. •' ' The Marine Turtles belong to three species, falling into txA o 48 CHELOKIDiE. genera, viz. :— The Green Turtle, Chelone my das, the Hawksbill, Chelone imhrieata, and the Loggerhead, Thalassoohelys carelta, all three of which occur in the Indian Ocean. The Green Turtle is valuable as an article of food, the Hawksbill for the tortoise-shell (the epidermal horny shields); whilst the Loggerhead is of no commercial value, or produces but a very inferior quality of tortoise- shell. The Chelonidse are thoroughly marine turtles, approaching the shores only for the purpose of depositing their eggs, which are very numerous, soft-shelled, and buried in the sand. As these eggs are large and excellent eating, they are much sought for. The genera are thus distinguished : — Costal shields 4 pairs Chelone, p. 48. Costal shields 5 or more pairs Thalassochelys, p. 49. Genus CHELONE, Brongniart, Bull. Soc. Philom. iii, 1800, p. 89. Carapace with persisting fontanelles between the costal and marginal plates. Costal shields four pairs. An intergular shield and a series of inframarginal plastral shields. Two species are known. Syno]psis of Species. Upper jaw not hooked C. my^as, p. 48. Upper 'jaw hooked C- imbricata, p. 49. 44. Chelone mydas. Testudo mydas, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 360. Chelonia m'ydas, Schioeigg. Prodr. p. 22; Bouleng. Cat. CM. ^e. p. 180. Chelonia vivgata, Sclmeiqq. Prodr. p. 22 ; Cantor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 1847, p. 617 ; Giinth. liept. B. I. p. 63; Theoh. Cat. p. 33. Carapace feebly unicarinate in the young (sometimes M-ith slight indication of lateral keels), arched or subtectiform in the adult ; dorsal shields juxtaposed ; margin not or but indistinctly serrated, formed of 25 shields. Snout very short ; jaws not hooked ; horny sheaths of upper jaw with feebly denticulated edge and striated inner surface, of lower jaw with strongly denticulated edge; alveolar surface of upper jaw with two strong denticulated ridges ; symphysis of lower jaw short ; one pair of prfefrontal shields. Limbs' usually with a single claw; the second digit sometimes provided with a distinct claw in young specimens. Young dark brown or olive above, the limbs margined with yellow; yellow beneath, with a large dark brown spot on the hand and foot. Carapace of adult olive or brown, spotted or marbled \nth yellowish. Length of shell 4 feet. Ilah. Tropical and subtropical seas. Eather rare ia the Bay of Bengal. Herbivorous ; edible, but occasionally poisonous. THALASSOCHEIiTS, 49 45. Chelone imbricata. Testudo imbricata, Linn. Si/st. Nat. i, p. 350. Chelonia imbricata, Schweigg. Prodi: p. 21 ; Boulemj. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 183. Eretmochelys squamata, Ayassiz, Contr. N. H. U. S. i, p. 382 Caretta squamata, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 54 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 33. Fig. 16. — Chelone imbricata (young). _ Carapace tricarinate ia the young, with the shields strongly imbricate, the vertebrals rhomboidal ; dorsal shields of adult smooth ot old specimens juxtaposed ; marg-in formed of 25 shields, more or less strongly serrated posteriorly. Snout compressed in the adult : ]aws hooked, not or but very feebly denticulated on the margin • symphysis ot lower jaw long; two pairs of shields anterior to the azygous frontal. Limbs xvith two claws. Young pale brown above, b ackish below. Carapace of adult marbled yellow and dark brown borderT ' ^^""^ ""^'^ ^^^^^ ^^'^^'^ ^rovvn with yellow Length of shell 3 feet. Hah. Ti'opical and subtropical seas. Plentiful on the coasts of Ceylon and the Maldives. Carnivorous. Genus THALASSOCHELYS, Fitzinger, Ann. Wien. Mus. i, 1835, p. 121. Carapace completely ossified in the adult. Costal shields fivn pairs or more. A series of inframarginal plastral shields A single species, JQ 50 SPHABGIDiE. 46. Thalassoclielys caretta. Testudo caretta, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 351. Chelonia caouanna, Sclmeigg. Froclr. p. 22. Ohelonia olivacea, Esclisch. Zool. Atl. p. 3, pi. iii ; Cantor, J. A. S. B. xvi, 1847, p. 619. Caouana olivacea, Giinth. Rept. D. I. p. 52 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 33. Thalassoclielys caretta, Bouleny. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 184. Carapace of young with three strong keels, of adult arched or subtectiform ; dorsal shields juxtaposed ; margin serrated pos- teriorly in the young, formed of 27, or rarely 25 shields. Intergular shield very small or absent. Head large, Avith very strong, hooked jaws ; symphysis of lower jaw very long ; alveolar surface of horny beak with a median ridge, of jaws without ; two pairs of shields anterior to the azygous frontal. Limbs of young usually with two claAvs, of adult frequently with but one. Young uniform dark bro^ra or blackish ; adult brown above, yellowish inferiorly. Length of shell 4 feet. Hah. Tropical and subtropical seas ; Mediterranean ; an acci- dental visitor in the North. Not rare in the Bay of Bengal. Carnivorous, feeding chiefly on crustaceans and mollusca. Suborder II. ATHECM Family V. SPHAEGID^. Exoskeleton consisting of mosaic-like juxtaposed plates. Piastral elements eight ; no entoplastrou. Limbs paddle-shaped, clawless, the digits of the fore limb much elongate ; phalanges Avithout condyles. This family contains a single genus and species, the well-known Leathery Turtle. Genus DERMOCHELYS, Blainville, Joura. de Phys. Ixxxiii, 1816, p. 259. Dorsal shield completely, ventral shield incompletely bony in the adidt, the foraier with seven, the latter with five keels. Beak with two triangular cusps, between three deep notches ; no enlarged alveolar surface, the jaws simply sharp-edged. Head covered with small shields. 47. Derniochelys coriacea. Testudo coriacea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 350. Spliargis coriacea, Oray, Syn. Rept. i, p. 51. Dernaatochelvs coriacea, Gilnih. Rept. B.I. p . 55 ; Theoh. Cat. p. 34. Dermochelvs coriacea. Boulena. Cat. Chel. Sfc. p. 10. Fore limbs as long as the dorsal shield in the young, shorter in the adult. Colour dark brown, uniform or spotted with yellow ; DEEMOOHELTS. 51 Fig. 17. — Skull oC Dernwchelijs coHacea*. Hah. Greuerally distributed between the tropics, but scarce everywhere ; an accidental visitor to temperate coasts. Of no commercial value. Only on one occasion has this turtle been observed to deposit her eggs on the coast of Tenasserim, on February 1st, 1862, near the mouth of the Ye River (of. Tickell J. A. S. B. xxxi, 1862, p. 367, with figure of the turtle). * figtires i 7 8,