BATAGUR LINEATUS. 39 



Batague LINEATUS. The Kachuga. 



Emys lineata. Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 23. 



kachuga, Gray, lUustr. Ind. Zool. tab. 



Batagur lineata, Gray, Shield Rept. p. 35. tab. 17 (young). 



Form. — This species resembles somewhat in general form the Batagur, but it is less 

 rounded on the anterior margin of its shell, the nuchal region being rather prominent. Its 

 greatest depth is below the anterior portion of the thii-d vertebral plate, where it is con- 

 tained twice and three-fifths in the length of the shell ; the hinder lateral portions of the 

 upper shell are considerably depressed and dilated. There is a slight notch between the 

 caudal plates ; hind margin not serrated. An interrupted keel along tlie middle of the verte- 

 brals, disappearing in old specimens. Sternum flat, with lateral keels in yoimg indi\iduals, 

 subtruncated in front. Small, not ossified portions are still visible between the ends of the 

 ribs in specimens 15 mches long. 



Plates. — Nuchal plate broad ; the three anterior vertebrals rather broader than long, the 

 fourth much longer than hroad ; all with a low keel, which in the second and third verte- 

 brals terminates in a prominent elongate knob: keel and prominences disappear entirely 

 with age. Caudal plates rather longer than broad. Gulars triangular, not much broader 

 than long, the length of their suture being one-half or two-fifths of that of the suture 

 between the postgulars. The hind margins of the postgulars meet at an obtuse angle. Pec- 

 torals shorter than abdominals or prseanals. Anals quadrangular ; the suture between them 

 is much longer than their hind margins, which meet at a very obtuse angle. 



Jaws denticulated. Tail shorter than the head. 



Feet. — Fingers and toes completely webbed ; claws ieeh\e,five anteriorly and four posteriorly. 

 Forearm and hind part of the lower leg with narrow, not imbricate, transverse scutes. 



Colour. — Uniform brown above and yellowish below. 



I have had for examination the following specimens : — 



1. A shell, 21 inches long, of a very old individual ; the epidermis is nearly entirely lost, and 

 the sutures have disappeared. Shell entirely osseous. I conclude, from the appearance of the 

 specimen, that it indicates the largest size to which this species grows. It is from Moulmein. 



2. A shell, 15 inches long. The vertebral keel has disappeared; narrow strips between 

 the costals and marginals are cartilaginous. It was sent to the British Museum by B. H. 

 Hodgson, Esq., from Nepal. 



3. A shell, 10 inches long. Vertebral keel indistinct, prominences obtuse; cartilaginous 

 space half as wide as the third vertebral plate. It was presented to the Britisli Museum by 

 Dr. Falconer, who procured it near " Saharumpoor," * where the species is said by him to be 

 common. 



4. A stuffed specimen, 6^ inches long — the original of the figure given by Dr. Gray in 

 his ' Shield Reptiles.' 



* I am unable to find this place in the maps of India : is it another name for Serampoor on the Hooglv ':" 



