TESTUDOPOLYPHEMUS. 43 



The head is short, thick, obtuse, and covered with small plates on the superior 

 parts, and with larger plates in front, which are disposed in rows; one between 

 the anterior parts of the orbit, consisting of two very large central plates and two 

 external, smaller; in front of this is a second row of sl\ smaller plates, and still 

 anterior to this row are others of smaller size. The nostrils are small and near 

 together. The eyes are large and open; the iris dark; the pupil almost black; the 

 lower lid more extensive than the upper, and both covered with small plates. 

 The jaws are covered with horny plates, grooved, and having their margins 

 serrated: the grooves allow the jaws to be received reciprocally within each other 

 when the mouth is closed. The neck is short, and the skin granulated. 



The anterior extremities are very large, thick, compressed in the antero-posterior 

 direction, and terminating in five fingers, each furnished with a thick and strong 

 nail; along the outer margin of the forearm is a row of projecting horny points, 

 resembling nails, large below, and decreasing gradually in size to the humerus. 

 Another remarkably large horny tubercle exists near the internal and anterior 

 part of the elbow. The anterior surface of the forearm and carpus is covered 

 with large plates; the posterior surface of the carpus and lower portion of the 

 forearm, with smaller plates; in other parts, the forearm and arm are granulated. 



The posterior extremities are rounded, less compressed, short, thick and clavate, 

 ending in four toes, each furnished with a strong nail. The sole of the foot, the 

 lower and posterior part of the leg, and the posterior part of the thighs, are pro- 

 tected by large plates; two remarkably horny points are placed at the posterior 

 and superior part of the thigh; the other parts of the posterior extremities are 

 granulated, and covered with smaller plates. 



Colours. The general colour of the shell is brownish-yellow, clouded at times 

 with a darker brown, which latter colour predominates in some individuals;* the 



* This colour was remarkable in the specimen from which the accompanying drawing was 

 taken. 



