CHELONIA. 



TESTIDUNID^:. 



Testudo pardalis (Bell). 



One specimen. 



Length of shell 20 inches. 



Free margins of anterior and posterior lateral shields strongly 

 reverted outwards and notched, the posterior more so than the 

 anterior. Supracaudal single, rather pointed, its free portion 

 slightly curved under the body. 



On Toyo plain and the country lying to the south we frequent- 

 ly met with this tortoise in all stages of growth, from the small 

 individual to an enormous creature that looked like a house 

 moving slowly along. It was the characteristic species of the land. 

 Occasionally the huge shells would be found empty, the occupant 

 having probably fallen a victim to some hungry lion, who had 

 neatly scooped out the body of the reptile at the openings of the 

 shell with his sharp, knife-like claws. As may be supposed all 

 the movements of this tortoise are made with extreme deliberation, 

 and I never saw one hasten his steps for any cause whatever. The 

 specimen brought back was somewhat over half as large as many 

 that were seen, but even it was a good load for a strong man. I 

 met it one morning on Toyb just as I was leaving camp and strap- 

 ping the head and legs in the shell, put it on the shoulders of one 

 of my men and sent it to the tents. D. G. E. 



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