A NEW GENUS and SPECIES of TURTLE, FROM 

 NORTH AUSTRALIA. 



By Allan R. McCulloch, Zoologist. 



(Plates xxvi-xxvii.) 



The Trustees have recently received from Mr. Hugh W. 

 Christie, Lighthouse-keeper at Point Charles, a small turtle 

 L53mm. long, captured near Port Darwin, North Australia. 

 While entering the family Gheloniidse it is apparently distinct 

 frum any of the three genera at present known, and I therefore 

 propose for it the na.meNataf.or. We know nothing either of its 

 habits or food, and as it is a unique specimen I have been unable 

 to examine its skull. 



It is most nearly related to Chelonia, and judging by the similar 

 form of its upper jaw, which is not hooked, is doubtless herbivo- 

 rous From that genus, however, it is separated by the different 

 arrangement of the shields of the head, and the distinctly paired 

 nuchal. Also the upper shields of both head and body have 

 each a large symmetrical areola placed rather behind their centres. 



Eretmochelys is distinguished by its hooked jaws and the two 

 pairs of prefrontal shields, while Caretta has five or more pairs of 

 costal shields. 



Natatok, 1 gen.nov. 



Head and carapace covered with horny shields, each with 

 distinct symmetrical areolae; nuchal shield divided into two, each 

 half having its own areola; five vertebrals, and four pairs of 

 costals; twelve pairs of marginals. Plastron as in Chelonia, with 

 a well developed intergular. Head with a pair of large pre- 

 frontals; frontal in contact with the prefrontals and a pair of 

 large supraoculars; parietal shield very large and followed by a 

 single post-parietal; two pairs of temporals. Upper jaw not 

 hooked. Limbs paddle shaped, with one claw each. 



1 S'atator — a swimmer. 



