EMYDID^. 9 



surface of the crown, distinguished from the others by their large size, — namely, a pair of 

 frontals extend from the nostrils to the interorbital space, forming a suture with the 

 third — a large triangular vertical shield ; the supraciliary region and the crown are covered 

 with small irregular shields. A large elmigate shield covers the temple, above the tympanum. 



Tail. — Short, thick, terminating in a strong claw. 



Feet. — Fore foot and sole of the hind leg covered with scales of moderate size ; only those 

 along the outer margin of the fore foot are larger and prominent ; five short claws anteriorly 

 and four posteriorly. 



Colour. — Shell yellowish, the areolar regions of the plates black ; each abdominal plate 

 with a large black blotch in the middle. Head and feet brownish, marbled with yellowish 

 and black. 



This species attains to a length of 13 inches ; it is found in Gamboja, Arakan, and Mergui. 



Second Family. 

 THE FRESHWATER TORTOISES— ^MFZ)//)^. 



Shell sometimes convex, generally more or less depressed. Toes distinct, 

 webbed ; feet for walking- and swimming- ; claws 5(4) — 4. Shell with horny 

 shields ; caudal shields separate. 



Although the species of this family may be easily distinguished from those of the preceding 

 by the characters indicated, there is a gradual transition from the Land Tortoises proper to 

 those the habits of which are thoroughly aquatic. The first six genera appear to live as 

 much on land as in water. The degi-ee of the development of the webs indicates their 

 power of swimming. They are found near, or in, the fresh waters of nearly all the temperate 

 and tropical regions. The females deposit about thirty eggs with a hard shell. 



The following genera are found in the East Indies : — 



* Pectoral plates narrow, far apart, not forming a suture together .... Manouria, p. 10. 

 ** Sternum divided into two moveable lobes by a transverse joint .... Cuora, p. 11. 

 *** Sternum not divided by a transverse joint ; the bridge between the upper 

 shell and the sternum is very flat, scarcely convex, the latter being fixed 

 to the former by a cartilaginous longitudinal suture. 



The suture between the pectoral and abdominal plates cui'ved Cyclemys, p. 15. 



The suture between the pectoral and abdominal plates straight ; fingers and 



toes scarcely webbed Pyxidea, p. 16. 



C 



