PANGSHURA TECTA. 33 



PANGSHURA, Gray. 



Tliorax and sternum solid, entirely bony, united into an immoveable cara- 

 pace ; tbe upjier shell is angularly elevated, compressed ; the fourth and, 

 generally, the third vertebral plates are pointed at their junction. Sternum 

 flat in both sexes ; pectoral plates subquadrangular, forming a suture to- 

 gether ; caudal divided into two. Feet with the toes broadly webbed. Claws 

 of moderate size, five anteriorly and four posteriorly. 



This genus is confined to the Indian Continent, and the species known do not appear to 

 differ in habits from the Emydes proper. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



* The third vertebral tapering behind. 



The lower parts of the shell yellow, with large blackish-brown spots . . P. tecta, p. 33. 



Sternal plates blackish brown, with rosy margins P. tentoria, p. 34. 



Sternum uniform yellowish P. flaviventer, ]^. 35. 



** The third vertebral truncated behind. 



The third vertebral quadrangidar, rectangular P. smithii, p. 36. 



Pangshura tecta. The Pangshure. 



Emys tecta, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 23. tab. 25 ; Illustr. Lid. Zool. c. fig. Bell, Testud. c. tab. 



trigibbosa. Less, in Belang. Voy. Lid. Orient., Rept. p. 29. 



Batagur tecta. Gray, Shield Rept. p. 36. 



This species, which is common in the Ganges and other rivers of Bengal, may be easily 

 distinguished by its elevated back, by the form of the first vertebral shield, and by the 

 coloration of the sternum. A more or less distinct ridge runs along the middle of the 

 vertebral plates, and is interrupted by nodose prominences, of which that of the third 

 vertebral is the strongest, forming the highest point of the shell ; its greatest depth is rather 

 more than one-half of its length. The first vertehral is pentmjonal , the hinder side leing the 

 shortest ; the fourth cuneiform, tapering anteriorly ; hind margin of the shell slightly 

 serrated ; sternum with a distinct angular ridge on each side. Head covered with undivided 

 skin ; jaws obtusely denticulated, the upper not notched in front. Tail shorter than the 

 head. 



Shell brownish or blackish ; vertebral ridge yellowish, edged with black ; head with two 



