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C. Indica, Gray. 



Testudo chitra, Buck. Ham. 



Gymnopus Imeatus, D, et B., Erpet, General II, p. 491. 



Chhim or ' Sini of the fishermen in Eastern Bensfal. 

 ' Seutei'i' in the Upper Ganges. 



Gray in his characters of the genus (Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 89, 

 1870) falls into the extraordinary error of describing the lower 

 jaw as " strong," whereas it is a weak bony arch, no more than 

 sufficient to give support to the horny rim or armature of the 

 mandible in this family. General aspect of the animal as in 

 Trionyx only a more depressed shell. Neck very elongate and 

 capable of protrusion and retraction with lightning speed. Colour 

 above dark olive brown, lineately marbled. Below yellowish 

 white. No eye spots at any age. 



The young exhibit the same pattern of marking as the adults 

 and are devoid of ' ocelli.' Grows to fully six feet between tips, 

 with a shell of over three feet and up to lbs. 240 weight. 



Inhabits the Ganges, Bengal, the Irawadi, and the estuaries of 

 the Indian and Malayan coasts. 



This species can be distinguished from all allied forms except 

 the next by its remarkably weak jaw, and from ' pelochelys' by 

 the proportions of the head. It is a most savage and desperate 

 creature, and should be cautiously examined during life. Its 

 food is unknown and probably differs from that of Trionyx to 

 judge by its peculiar and weak jaw. 



Pelochelys, Gray. 



General aspect of Chitra. Sternal callosities four. Lower jaw 

 verv weak. Eyes placed very forward. The semi-diameter across 

 the mandibular condyles is contained twice only between the 

 occipital condyle and the palatalopening of the nostrils. 



