EMYS BEALII. 23 



prominences on the four anterior vertebral plates ; these prominences become very indistinct 

 with age. The margin of the upper shell is entire, without serrature or notch. Plates 

 smoothish, with reticulated lines. Front lobe of the sternum bent upwards. Sternum with 

 an obtuse lateral ridge and with a shallow notch posteriorly ; it is equally wide between the 

 axillary and inguinal incisions, its width being rather less than one-half of its length. 



Plates. — No areolae are visible in the specimen described ; the nodose protuberances on 

 the vertebrals are near the posterior margin of the plates. Nuchal plate oblong, more than 

 twice as long as broad. The four anterior vertebrals subquadrangular, more or less broader 

 than long ; the last as broad as long, narrowed in its anterior part and dilated in its pos- 

 terior. Caudal shields longer than broad. Gulars longer than broad, the suture between 

 them being equal in length to that between the postgulars. Pectorals shorter than post- 

 gulars, abdominals, or praeanals. Abdominals and prceanals nearly equal in length. The 

 suture between the anals is much longer than their posterior margins, which meet at an 

 obtuse angle. 



The limbs are stout, and less depressed than in most Emydes ; there are imbricate, very 

 narrow and elongate scales on the forearm and on the posterior part of the tarsus. Claws 

 long, strong, and curved. The tail is short, and can scarcely be exserted from below the 

 carapace. 



Colour. — Shell brownish, each vertebral and costal with a chestnut-brown, light-edged, ocel- 

 lated spot. Lower parts yellow. The soft parts are olive-grey ; crown of the head blackish, 

 with a yellowish-white V-like mark over the snout, continued over each eye and over the 

 back of the neck ; another similar line behind the eye. Both lines are frequently more or 

 less broken up into spots. 



The shell from which we have taken the description is only 1^ inches long, and apparently 

 belonged to an adult specimen ; it was brought from Mergui. Bibron mentions a specimen 

 12 inches long. A specimen (considered by Mr. Blyth as belonging to a different species) was 

 obtained on the Tenasserim coast, and others at Schwe Gyen, on the Sitang River, in Pegu. 

 This species approaches the Land Tortoises in several characters, and probably also in habits. 



Emys BEALII. The Speckled Pond Tortoise. 



Cistudo (?) bealii, Gray, Syn. Rept. p. 71. 

 Emys bealii, Gray, Shield Rept. p. 21. tab. 8. 



Form. — Shell not much depressed, rather elongate, not emarginate or serrated, witli a 

 single longitudinal ridge, which is distinct posteriorly only. No notch between the caudals. 

 Sternum rounded on the sides, truncated anteriorly ; it is rather broader between the in- 

 guinal incisions than between the axillary, and twice as long as broad. 



Plates, — The plates are remarkably smooth, polished, with the areolae very indistinct ; 



