204 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
Genus DERMOCHELYs Blainville. 
The Leather Turtles. 
Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli). 
PLATE 53. 
Leather Turtle. Trunk Back. Sea Turtle. 
Carapace sub-cardiform, broadest about first fourth of its 
length, and evenly convergent from this point to median tip 
posteriorly. Longitudinal keels distinct, 7 in number, and con- 
verging evenly behind to posterior tip of carapace. Median keel 
pronounced, more so than each dorso-lateral, then next below 
on sides less so, and even lateral margin similarly indistinct. 
Each of keels becoming more or less unevenly jagged posteriorly, 
though serre so formed rounded, and more or less knob or 
tubercle-like. Median 3 keels more widely separated anteriorly, 
very trenchant and elevated at front of carapace. In anterior 
parts of course, space between dorso-lateral and infero-dorsal 
keels greater than greatest width between any of keels. Entire 
surface, otherwise than noted, perfectly smooth. In profile body 
apparently deepest antero-medianly, as back is apparently 
depressed accidentally at this point. Lateral keels on plastron 
apparently obsolete, others not seen. Head large, cylindrical 
basally, and as viewed above rather elongately triangular. Sides 
of head somewhat compressed, and upper surface more or less 
evenly convex. Snout blunt and obtuse in profile. Eye mod- 
erate, anterior. Jaws large, strong, and upper with 3 deep 
notches in front. Mandible recurved in front. Edges of jaws 
sharp. Nostrils near together on front of snout above. Inter- 
orbital space convex. Neck short and thick, especially at base. 
Skin all more or less smooth. Fore limbs long and falcate, 
twice as long as hind pair, fin-like, compressed strongly and 
becoming a little broader basally. Hind limbs of similar shape, 
only shorter and broader, and each with a broad cutaneous flap 
