♦^ Fauna : Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish 



withdrawn their legs and tail within the plastron or belly-shield, 

 they can close down tightly the hinder part oi their back 

 carapace to meet the rim of the plastron underneath, so that 

 they become completely screened from attack on any soft 

 portion of their body. The rim or edge of the carapace, both 

 in tront, behind, and at the sides, is sometimes developed into 



311. THE (iKF.EN TURTLE ((.;HEL(JNE MVUAS) 



fantastic foliations or toothed processes, which are distinctly 

 ornamental. 



Amongst Amphibians there is a representative of the 

 Apoda or limbless order — one of the Cxciliidc€. This creature, 

 which was collected in Liberia by Dr. Biittikofer, is probably 

 UrcBotyphlus seraphhn, though it was placed by Biittikofer in 

 a different (East African) genus, Hypogeophis. There might 

 well be in Liberia also another Coecilian amphibian, Geotrypetes 

 petersii. These creatures in appearance are easily mistaken tor 

 one of the big earth-worms found in Liberia, or a burrowing 

 snake. Lhey are slimy, viscous, a pale brownish flesh-colour, 



821 



