C H E L O N U R A T E M M I N C K I 1 . 31 



differed in some other respects; but, as the sternum was dried, such observations 

 cannot be rehed on. 



The head is enormously large, and regularly triangular if seen from above, 

 its basis behind and its apex before, and is covered superiorly and laterally with 

 polygonal plates; the vertical plate is beautifully urceolate, pentagonal, broader 

 behind, narrow before; the superior orbital plates are elongated quadrilateral, and 

 project over the eye, as in the Crotalus; the frontal is irregularly quadrilateral, 

 smaller before, where it projects over the nares, and broader behind, descending 

 to form a portion of the orbit of the eye; the occipital plate is very large, 

 covering most of the head, is of polygonal form, and joined to many of the plates 

 of the head, in front to the vertical and superior orbital, and in all other places is 

 surrounded by smaller plates; the first of these is placed behind the superior 

 orbital, and is of an irregular oblong form, joining also with the post-orbital and 

 superior temporal plates; the second is larger, and situated between the occipital 

 and superior temporal; and still behind this are several smaller polygonal plates, 

 the central one the largest; the posterior orbital plate is regularly pentagonal, 

 concave in front and above for the orbit, straight in front and below where it 

 touches the corneous part of the lower jaw; there are four or five temporal plates, 

 of which the two anterior are largest, the upper quadrilateral, and joined to the 

 corneous covering of the upper jaw in front. The snout is pointed, the nares 

 anterior and close together. The eyes are large and very brilliant, the pupil dark 

 grey, the iris golden, with angular dark projections surrounding its outer margin. 

 Each jaw is protected by a firm horny covering. The upper jaw is strong, sharp, 

 and pointed at its extremity, extends beyond the lower, and furnished with a 

 remarkable hook in front, projecting beyond the lower, and descending at right 

 angles to the frontal plane, behind which the cutting margin is waved or notched, 

 as in some birds of prey. The cutting edge of the under jaw is equally firm, and 

 has an equally well developed hook or tooth in front, which is received in a 

 fossette of the upper jaw. The mouth, though large, is less so in proportion 

 than in the Chelonura serpentina. The neck is short, large, subcylindrical, and 

 covered with a tough abundant loose folded and granulated skin, with large warts 



