40 CHELONIA. 



Batagur elliotti. Penku Tambel. (Plate III. figs. A, A'.) 



Batagur ellioti, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1862, p. 264. 



This species appears to be undescribed ; it is founded on young specimens, which, however, 

 are distinguished by characters so well marked that we do not hesitate to introduce it into 

 science imder a distinct name, and the more so as we have the means of comparing it A\ith 

 specimens of the allied species of nearly the same age. There is a stuffed specimen, 3^ inches 

 long, in the British Museum, which agrees so well with two drawings made by Walter 

 Elliott, Esq., from living specimens, that it may have been the original of one of them. The 

 stuffed specimen is of imknown origin, whilst the individuals found by Mr. Elliott were 

 obtained on the Kistna River. 



Form and Plates. — The shell is rather more elevated than in its congeners, the second 

 and third vertebrals being compressed into a keel termmating in an acute prominence at 

 the end of each plate ; the keel is continued along the two posterior vertebral plates, but 

 less prominently. The first vertebral is but little narrower behind than in front ; the second 

 aitd third much broader than long ; the fourth hexagonal, as broad as long, united with the 

 thii'd by a long suture ; the fifth pentagonal, much broader than the caudals, united with the 

 fourth by a rather short suture. Tlie posterior margin of the shell is strongly serrated, and 

 the notch between the caudals is semicircular. Nuchal plate much broader than long. 



Sternum narrow, keeled on the sides, the keel terminating in a small spine at the end of 

 each plate. The width of the sternum between the keels is rather less than the width 

 between a sternal keel and the lateral margin of the upper shell. Gulars broader than long ; 

 the hind margins of the postgulars form an obtuse angle. Postgulars, pectorals, abdominals, 

 and prsanals of nearly the same length. The suture between the anals is longer than their 

 hind margins, which meet at an obtuse angle. 



Read covered with undivided skin, obliquely truncated in front, with the nose slightly 

 turned upwards ; the upper jaw is serrated, and has a slight notch anteriorly. Front part 

 of the fore legs and hinder part of the hind legs with narrow, long, transverse, not imbricate 

 scales. Webs broad ; claws rather feeble, but little curved, five anteriorly and four posteriorhj. 

 Tail shorter than the head. 



Colour. — Uniform brownish above, yellowish below. Feet during life dotted with brown. 



Batagur affinis. (Plate III. figs. C, C) 



? Emys trivittata, Dum. i^ Bibr. Erpet. gen. ii. p. 331. 

 Emys trivittata, Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 4. 

 Tetraonyx affinis (part.). Cantor, I. c. p. 6. 



For the determination of this species I have two examples before me, both from Dr. 

 Cantor's collection: the one is adult, shell 18 inches long, and named E. trivittata by Cantor 



