14 CHELONIA. 



N.W. Formosa. It is singular that large portions of the shell are eroded in both ; but 

 whether it is owing to an internal disease of the bones, or the effect of the action of a 

 parasite, we do not know. 



The figures are taken from the typical specimen from Formosa, and represent it of half 

 the natural size. 



CuoRA TEiFASCiATA. The Chinese Box Tortoise. 



Cistudo trifasciata, Gray, Si/n. Rept. p. 19 ; Illustr. Ind. Zool. tab. 

 Sternotherus trifasciatus, Bell, Zool. Journ. ii. p. 299. tab. 13. 



Form and Plates. — Although this species also is subject to variations in general form, it is 

 less so than C. amboinensis. It is generally depressed, with the back flattened to the last 

 vertebral plate, which is obliquely situated. Normally it has three longitudmal ridges, the 

 costal ridge being nearly twice as remote from the lateral edge of the shell as from the 

 vertebral ridge. The anterior half of the shell is contracted, the posterior widened, its hind 

 margin being not, or scarcely, serrated ; lateral margin slightly reverted. The nuchal plate 

 varies in form, and is sometimes entirely absent. Vertebrals of moderate length and width. 

 Sternum rounded anteriorly and posteriorly ; the length of its anterior lobe is contained once 

 and a third in that of the posterior ; the suture between both lobes corresponds to the fifth 

 marginal plate. Gulars rounded anteriorly, much longer than broad, the suture between 

 them being nearly thrice as long as that between the postgulars. Pectorals as long as 

 abdomuaals. Anals large, as large as postgulars, rounded, and separated by a notch behind. 



Head covered with undinded skin, narrow and elongate ; jaws not denticulated, upper 

 jaw slightly bent downwards anteriorly. Tail as long as the head. Anterior and posterior 

 parts of the fore leg covered mth large, imbricate, shield-like scales. Fingers and toes 

 webbed ; claws strong and long, five anteriorly and four posteriorly. 



Colour. — Upper shell brovra, iDith the ridges black; lower half of the marginal plates 

 yellow, each with a black spot posteriorly. Sternum black, with light-brown streaks radiating 

 from the areolae ; margin of the sternum yeUow. Head yellow, with two black streaks on 

 each side, the upper of which passes through the eye and is broader than the lower. Feet 

 reddish. 



The shell of the largest specimen in the British Museum is 7 inches long. This species 

 appears to be limited to China. 



