96 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



prominent position in the Reptile Gallery. The entire skeleton 

 was thus preserved, and being carefully articulated, is exhibited 

 in the Osteological Gallery. It is, therefore, still available for 

 study should opportunity occur. (See Plate xxii.) 



Failing the work I had proposed, it appears to be advisable to 

 publish such information as I have been able to glean relative to 

 the history of the specimens. In this connection I have to thank 

 Dr. Sinclair, who has spared no pains, and who has himself made 

 some of the observations below recorded. 



In the Hospital grounds these reptiles had almost unlimited 

 freedom, and their feed of herbage was largely supplemented by 

 vegetables — lettuces being much appreciated ; an entire plant was 

 taken from the hand, and after two or three movements of the 

 jaws was swallowed. Eating seemed to be a constant occupation. 

 For my benefit the tortoises were prodded about the grounds ; 

 they were very disinclined to move and only did so in response to 

 repeated persuasions from a stick directed at the hind limbs. I 

 was much interested to notice that when touched in this way the 

 tortoise would suddenly drop its shell over the leg prodded, and 

 so endeavour to protect itself, and at the same time cripple the 

 offender. One of the men engaged in trundling the reptile 

 used his foot for the purpose, but this was considered an unwise 

 proceeding, for on one occasion, I was told, when kicking the leg 

 of the reptile an attendant had his foot badly crushed. 



When turning the smaller reptile (the female) about, two or 

 three men proved to be sufficient. When the male was under 

 consideration. Dr. Sinclair told off five men, and in consequence 

 of the enormous weight and the struggles of the huge creature, 

 they were scarcely able to turn it over. More help was required 

 when it had to be placed on the weighing machine, and 

 even when once there it managed, by hitching its claws into the 

 standards, to force itself off", despite all efforts to prevent it. 

 Finally, the correct weight was obtained, and when the reptile 

 was permitted to regain its legs I noticed that blood was issuing 

 from between the shields of the carapace. 



The tortoises were propped up so as to show their under-surfaces. 

 The photographs I then took are reproduced on Plate xxi., and 

 exhibit several points of interest, not otherwise observable. That 

 of the female (Fig. 2), propped against the Hospital wall, shows 

 the enlarged scute on the fore-leg very clearly, also the depression 

 in the plastron, the divided gular and the notch between the 

 xiphiplastra with the angles rounded ; the short tail is also well 

 illustrated, as are also the sutures of the plastron and the 

 characteristically wrinkled skin. 



Owing to its weight and bulk, the male could not be retained 

 vertically against the wall, and as it absolutely refused to be 



