1893.] ^1' [Baur. 



The question now is, "What is the type of Aspidonectes Wagler? 



Since Aspidonectes javanieus = Testudo cartilaginea Bodd. is fully fig- 

 ured by Wagler, PI. ii, Figs. 1-12, and this species is also placed in Aspi- 

 donectes Fitzinger, I consider it as the type of Aspidonectes. 



Besides this species, three others are mentioned by Fitzinger with Aspi- 

 donectes : 



T. cpgyptiacus Geoflfroy = Testudo triunguis Forskal. 

 2\ hurum Gray. 

 T. indiciis Gray. 



None of these belong to Aspidonectes. 



Aspidonectes contains besides the type, Trionyx formosus Gray and 

 Trionyx phayrei Theob. 



Aspidonectes Wagl. may be characterized thus : 



Posterior nares reduced in size by the inner and posterior extension of 

 ihe maxillaries. Alveolar surface of lower jaw with a strong longitudinal 

 symphyseal ridge {fide Boulenger). Eight pairs of pleuralia, last pair in 

 contact in the median line ; a single neural between the first pair of 

 pleurals. 



1. Type, Testudo cartilaginea Boddaert. 



2. Trionyx formosus Gray. 



3. Trionyx phayrei, Theob. 



The genus Platypeltis was established by Fitzinger for T. brogniarti 

 Schweigg. and T. ferox Schweigg. Agassiz retains the genus Platypeltis 

 with Testudo ferox Schweigg. as type. But the species considered as 

 Testudo ferox Schweigger, by Agassiz, does not represent this species at 

 all, but a new one, which I have called Platypeltis agassizii ; * and this 

 species belongs to a different genus than Platypeltis Fitz. 



The Platypeltis Fitzinger is the same as Aspidonectes Agassiz. The type 

 of Platypeltis Fitzinger is Testudo ferox Schneider. To this genus belong 

 the following American species : 



Trionyx spiniferus Les. 

 Aspidonectes asper Ag. 



" nuchalis Ag. 



" emoryii Ag. 



The genus Platypeltis Fitzinger (name only) may be characterized in 

 this way : Posterior nares not reduced in size by the inner and posterior 

 extension of the maxillaries. Alveolar surface of lower jaw without a 

 longitudinal symphyseal ridge ; seven or eight pairs of pleuralia, last pair 

 in contact in the median line ; a single neural between the first pair of 

 pleurals. 



The question now is. To what genus does the form belong described by 

 Ag&ss'iz as Platypeltis ferox and named hy me Platypeltis agassizii? By 



*Baui', G., " Notes on ttie American TrionychidLe," Am. Nat., Dec, 18S8, pp. 1121, 1122. 



