42 EMYS RETICULATA. 



large and sub-rhomboidal; the second and third are pentagonal, the superior angle 

 most acute; the fourth is quadrilateral. There are twenty-five marginal plates, 

 which form a simple cutting border, in general without seme, though there is 

 sometimes a small notch between the supra-caudal plates; the nuchal, or interme- 

 diate, is very small, oblong, or nearly a parallelogram in shape. The remaining 

 plates are quadrilateral; those situated in front or over the thighs are largest. 



The sternum is oblong, nearly of the same size at both extremities; full and 

 rounded in front, emarginate behind. The gular plates are triangular, with 

 their bases forward and rounded, and their apices directed backwards; each has 

 a remarkable prominence on its upper surface, near the outer angle of the base; 

 between these knobs the plates are hollow for the neck; the brachial are quadran- 

 gular, broader and rounded externally, narrow and straight within. The thoracic 

 plates are quadrilateral, elongated in the transverse direction; the abdominal are 

 broad and pentagonal; the femoral large and quadrilateral; the subcaudal hexagonal, 

 with a rounded basis directed posteriorly. Of the supplemental plates, the axillary 

 are small and triangular, with their apices turned backwards; the inguinal are 

 larger, rhomboidal, broadest behind, narrow and pointed before. 



The head is small, long and narrow, with the snout a little pointed; the nostrils 

 are anterior. The upper jaw is slightly emarginate; the lower is entire, and fur- 

 nished with a hook in front. The eyes are prominent and large, the pupil black, 

 the iris golden, with a black band passing longitudinally through it. The neck is 

 of great length. 



The anterior extremities are rather short and rounded; the fore-arm covered 

 with large scales, disposed in transverse lines, and a row of square fleshy folds 

 along the superior border; its posterior surface is scaly and granulated; there are 

 five fingers, palmated, sustaining five short, strong, slightly curved nails. The 

 posterior extremities are also covered with scales, but they are smaller than those 

 of the anterior; the tarsus is flattened, and sustains five fully palmated toes, four 



