116 TESTUDINID ®. 
Cistudo virginea, Agassiz, Contr. N. H. U. S. 1. p. 445, pl. iv. 
figs. 17-19 (1857). 
Terrapene carinata, Strauch, Chelon. Stud. p. 96 (1862), and Verth. 
Schildkr. p. 45 (1865). 
Carapace very convex, subhemispherical or shortly oval, with at 
least a trace of an obtuse vertebral keel which is more distinct in 
the young. Vertebral shields broader than long, and narrower than 
the costals. Plastron hermetically closing the shell, without trace 
of a bridge, broader posteriorly than anteriorly; the abdominal 
Fig. 33. 
Shell of Céstudo carolina. 
shields, and a very short portion of the pectorals, in contact with the 
marginals ; the longest plastral shields are the femorals or the anals, 
the smallest the gulars; the longest median suture is that between 
the anals; abdominals larger than pectorals. Upper jaw hooked, 
the hook entire. Limbs scaly. Digits with a very indistinct web. 
Carapace usually dark brown or blackish, with yellow spots; or 
brownish yellow with dark brown spots or rays; frequently an 
interrupted yellow streak follows the vertebral ridge; plastron 
brown or blackish, uniform or with irregular yellowish blotches or 
