TRIONYX FEROX. 11 



and closely approximated; they are subround, the greatest extent being in the 

 vertical direction, and their long axes are parallel to each other. The eyes are 

 large, prominent, and very closely approximated; the pupil is black, the iris of 

 pale lemon colour, very brilliant, and marked with an interrupted longitudinal 

 black band. The mouth is large, naked in front, but with large revolute movable 

 thick lips at the sides, both above and below. The jaAvs are entire, or without 

 serrse, and the lower is received within the upper. 



The anterior extremities are large, flattened, and covered at the fore-arm with 

 three broad scales placed transversely; there are five fingers, extensively pal- 

 mated, but the three anterior alone are furnished with nails, the two posterior are 

 far apart, and seem useful only in supporting the web. The posterior extremities 

 are equally large, and still more flattened at the tarsus, which sustains five fully 

 palmated toes, the three anterior furnished with short strong curved nails, a 

 little grooved on their posterior face; the two postei'ior toes are far apart, and 

 sustain the web, which is here extensive, and continued along the posterior 

 margin of the limb; and besides, there is behind the little toe a large oblong 

 piece of cartilage imbedded in the membrane or w'eb, continued along the leg, 

 which must be still more instrumental in keeping it distended. The tail is thick, 

 conical, short, passing but slightly the carapace; the vent near the tip. 



Colour. The superior and lateral parts of the head and neck are umber 

 coloured, the lips a little lighter; the inferior surface is dirty white, with a tinge 

 of green. On each side of the head and behind the eye is a yellowish oblong 

 blotch, bordered with black, which in young individuals is bright, and continued 

 towards the snout, but becomes more and more obscure as the animal increases 

 in age. 



The shell above is umber coloured, more or less bright, and marked with large 

 irregular dusky blotches; these are circumscribed in the young, but are spread 

 out with irregular margins in adults, and sometimes they disappear altogether 

 and leave the shell of one unilbrm colour. The sternum is white, and beautifully 



