SIDE-NECKED TORTOISES. 



55 



importance, on account of the food-supply afforded by its flesh and 

 eggs. Most of the eggs are converted into oil, which is used either 

 for food or for burning. ■ The soft-shelled eggs are laid in holes dug 



Fig. 57. 



g ig 



Nu 



Right halves of Upper {A) and Lower Shells {B) of an extinct Egyptian Side- 

 necked Tortoise (Stereogenys cro)neri) to show presence of a mesoplastral 

 bone (Ms.p.). 



ig. intergular ; g. gular ; n. humeral ; pect. pectoral shields ; nu. nuchal; v.'-v.* 

 vertebral ; Pyg. pygal ; IIy.2). hyoplastral ; Hyp.p. hypoplastral ; Ent. euto- 

 plastral bones. 



by the females in the sand. The adults, which are mainly aquatic, 

 subsist chiefly on fruits falling from the overhanging trees into the 

 water. 



The Matamatas, as the members of the family ChelydidcB may be Case 

 collectively called (although that name properly belongs only to the 



