156 Records of the Indian Museum. [ Vor. VEL, 
Puri in Orissa, eat sweetmeats made of parched rice and palm- 
sugar. In such conditions they grow very tame and come to 
feed when called. ‘Those at Puri are popularly believed to be 
the descendants of a man named Gopal who offended Jugger- 
naut; they are summoned by the priests by this name, to 
which they answer sometimes—but by no means always—by 
appearing on the surface and swimming towards the edge of the 
tank. 
The distribution of the Indian species of Tvzonyx is a matter 
of considerable interest but one in need of further elucidation, 
especially in respect to the species that occupy the rivers of 
western and southern India. There can be no doubt that 
one species (T. gangeticus) occurs both in the Indus and the 
Ganges, but whether this is the only form that will be found 
in the former river we do not know. Whether T. leithit is to be 
found in all the rivers of western, central and northern India we 
do not know. What species occur, if any do occur, in the rivers 
that water the southern and south-western parts of the Madras 
Presidency, and whether any species occur in Ceylon are questions 
that I have been unable to solve. 
In the Gangetic delta, and I believe in the other parts of 
India, Tvionyx is regarded as an important article of diet. Very 
large numbers are caught, chiefly in the Khulna district, for 
the Calcutta market and are sent to town by train. They are 
captured in nets in autumn, when the rivers begin to sink, 
and are stored in the vicinity of Calcutta in small ponds, their fore 
and hind feet being sewed together and a hole, to which a 
string is attached, bored in the cartilaginous part of the disk. 
In this condition they live for many months. The only species 
I have actually seen treated in this way are T. hurum and 
T. gangeticus, but I understand Chitra indica is dealt with in 
a similar manner. 
Key to the Indian species of Trionyx. 
1. ‘Iwo neural plates between the first pair of costals. 
(A) A strong longitudinal ridge on the mandibular symphy- 
sis; coloration of adult very dark......... T. nigricans. 
(B) The longitudinal ridge on the mandibular symphysis 
feebly developed or absent. 
a. Mandibular symphysis produced in front, its length 
being much greater than that of the orbit; at least 
four large and conspicuous ocelli as well as a 
dark reticulation on the disk of the young, that 
Of the adultrglank:. opie. too eae .... 1. hurum. 
a'. Mandibular symphysis not much longer than the 
orbit. 
a. Disk pale, with radiating dark lines but no 
ocelliin the young; inner margin of mandible 
T1Idged passes oe oe oA eee: T. gangeticus. 
