60 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 serrae, though there 

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

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

 remaining plates are quadrilateral; those situated in front, or those over the 

 thighs, are largest. 



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

 rounded in front, emarginatc 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 sub-caudal 

 hexagonal, with rounded bases 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 shghtly emarginate; the lower is entire, and 

 furnished 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 . 



to' 



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 



