2 



CHELONIA. 



less convex and formed by vertebrae and ribs, and the sternal part. This osseous shell 

 receives in its interior the organs of the chest and of the abdomen, the humeral and pelvic 

 bones, and the muscles for the humerus and for the femur. Only the ceridcal and caudal 

 portions of the vertebral column are free and moveable. The skull is articulated to the atlas 

 by a single condyle. 



The epidermoid coat, covering the osseous shell, is divided into numerous large horny 

 shields or plates, not corresponding to the single bones of the carapace : in some species the 

 coating is soft, not horny, and not di\ided into shields. The integuments of the head, neck, 

 tail, and limbs are similar to those in the Saurians, smooth, or tubercular, or scaly. 



Teeth are wanting, but their office is fulfilled by a horny cutting sheath on each jaw, 

 similar to the bill of a bird (Parrot). The intestinal tract terminates in a cloaca, into which 

 open the ducts from a large m-inary bladder and from the genital organs. The penis is single, 

 provided with a corpus cavernosum and with a groove to conduct the semen. The ovaria 

 are paired, containing numerous eggs, which are coated over with a hard or flexible shell 

 during their passage through the oviduct. The eggs are deposited in a hole made by the 

 mother and carefully hidden under a layer of sand or mould ; they are not incubated, but 

 hatched by the sun. 



The following woodcuts will explain the divisions of the epidermoid coat, the single shields 

 forming one of the most important characters for the distinction of the species. 



PaNGSHURA SMITHII. 



n. Nuchal. 

 v-v. Five vertebrals. 

 CO. Four costals. 

 m-m. Eleven marginals, 

 c. Caudal. 



g. Gular. 

 pg. Postgular. 



p. Pectoral. 

 ab. Abdominal. 



pa. Prseanal. 



an. Anal. 



X. Axillary. 



i. Inguinal. 



