THE GEOGRAPHIC TURTLES. 77 
sal edge of the eye. In other examples the tapering por- 
tion of the mark is lost and there is left only the hody, 
forming a large spot behind the eye. The isolated spot 
in snch cases is qnite characteristic from its transverse po- 
sition and l>right color. A median dorsal line extends from 
the tip of the snont posteriorly gradually widening a little 
till opposite the posterior part of the eye, then gradually 
narrowing and fading to be lost, commonly, near the [)oint 
at which the two connna-shnped marks are nearest each 
other, but sometimes continuing back upon the neck as a 
very narrow and faint line. At the outer extremity of the 
comma-shaped spot are several narrow curved lines which 
start from the ventral posterior edge of the orbit and ex- 
pand posteriorly and ventrally finally to turn inward pos- 
terior to the comma-shaped mark and run i)arallel with it. 
Other similar lines also starting from the orbit extend ven- 
trally and posteriorly passing across the tympanum and 
continuing along the side of the neck. The latter are fre- 
quently broken and may encircle the tympanum, leaving a 
pale central dash. A yellow spot is nlmost invariably pres- 
ent beneath each eye. Three spots on the mandible are 
noticeable from their position, one on the symphysis and 
one at each angle of the mouth. 
The expanded posterior extremity of the carina of each 
dorsal plate is in this species distinctly black. In young 
this is the only black of the dorsal side of the carapace. 
Later in life, large imperfectly-defined black blotches ap- 
pear, one at the posterior edge of each costal plate ; other 
blotches still more obscure occur at the posterior edge of 
each marginal plate above. Besides these, there may bo 
a pair of black dots, one on each side of the ridge of each 
dorsal plate. 
The plastron in young M. lesueuri is very characteristi- 
cally marked. The whole central region, embracing most 
