162 TESTUDINATA. 



very broad, and almost horizontal ; provided with a neck- 

 plate; the caudal plate is simple, the plastron moveable 

 behind. In the young the carapace is not dilated behind ; 

 the plates of the disk, and the front half of those of the 

 margin, are blackish brown, with the centre of the former 

 and the hinder portion of the latter yellow ; the body be- 

 neath is of the same colour, with a large triangular black 

 spot on six or eight of the plates ; the tail is thick, short, 

 conical, scarcely reaching beyond the carapace ; the head, 

 upper part of the neck and tail, and the outside of the 

 hind-feet are deep black ; the caudal region beneath, thighs, 

 and neck below pale orange, clouded with dark brown. 



It is the largest of the three European Tortoises, but 

 seldom exceeds one foot in total length. 



The extended hind margin of the carapace is the chief 

 mark of distinction between this and the allied species. 



This Tortoise is found in Greece, where it is at least 

 equally common with the T. Grcaca. It is said by Schinz 

 to occur also in Candia. In Egypt and Barbary less common 

 than T. Mauritanica, 



Testudo Mauritanica. 



Testudo Mauritanica, Dum. et Bib. vol. ii. p. 44. 

 Testudo ibera, Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. 



Description. — Carapace oval, vaulted, one-third longer than 

 its breadth in full-grown individuals, provided with a neck- 

 plate ; the caudal plate simple ; the plates of the margin 

 inclined backwards ; on each thigh is a large conical tu- 

 bercle ; these and the shorter tail are sufficient to distin- 

 guish it from T. Grceca. The plastron is moveable be- 

 hind ; the tail is short, and without a nail at its tip ; the 

 homy gums are quite without dentations in the adult ; the 

 young, however, has three small ones in the lower jaw, 

 wliich disappear with its growth. The carapace is olive. 



