55. ERETMOCHELYS 995 
These turtles are found in the tropical seas. The specific 
differences among them are as yet but little known. 
229. Eretmochelys squamosa (Girard) 
PaciFic TorroisE-SHELL TuRTLE 
Caretta squamosa Girarp, U. S. Explor. Exped., Herpetol., 1858, p. 442, 
pl. 30, figs. 1-7 (type locality, Sulu Seas and Indian Ocean). 
Caretta imbricata VAN DensBurcu, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Ser. 2, Vol. 5, 
1895, p. 83. 
Eretmochelys squamata TownsenD, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. 
XXXV, 1916, p. 445. 
Eretmochelys squamosa STEJNEGER & Barsour, Check List N. Amer. 
Amph. Rept., 1917, p. 122; VAN DensurcH & Stevin, Proc. Cal. 
Acad. Sci., Ser. 4, Vol. XI, 1921, p. 53; NEtson, Mem. Nat. Acad. 
Sci., Vol. XVI, 1921, p. 114. 
Description —Forelimbs long, paddle-shaped, with two 
claws. Head covered above with large plates of which four 
occupy the prefrontal region; frontal rather small; inter- 
parietal largest. Snout in profile curving up and back from 
the point of the beak which is the most anterior part of head. 
Horny plates of shell thick, and imbricate; vertebrals five, 
costals four, marginals 12 on each side and a nuchal. A 
series of plates between marginals and large plastral plates. 
The general color is yellowish or brownish. The horny 
plates of the shell are beautifully mottled and clouded with 
yellow and brown. The plastron is light yellow. 
The usual length of carapace is one and one-half or two 
feet, but in very large specimens may be nearly three feet. 
Distribution.—So far as I can learn the Pacific Tortoise- 
shell or Hawksbill Turtle has been taken, within the limits 
of the present work, only near San Jose del Cabo. Its range 
doubtless extends considerably to the north of Cabo San 
Lucas both in the Gulf of California and along the west 
side of the peninsula of Lower California. 
