4 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
GENUS SPHARGIS. Merrem. 
Body covered above by a leathery skin instead of scales. The ribs not soldered together, 
and not united to the almost membranous sternum by the marginal plates. This covering 
is tubercular in the young, but elevated into distinct ridges in the adult. Feet fin-shaped, 
without nails. ; 
Oss. This genus was first indicated by Merrem. 'The names of Corindo, Dermochelis and 
Dermatochelys have been successively proposed by Fleming, De Blainville and Wagler. 
THE LEATHER TURTLE. 
SPHARGIS CORIACEA, 
(PLATE V. FIG. 9.) 
Testudo coriacea. Lin. 12 ed. p. 350. 
Tortue luth. Daup, Hist. Rept. Vol. 2, p. 62, pl. 18, fig. 1. 
T. coriacea. Murcut1, Med. Rep. New Series, 1812, p. 191, and 1813, figure. 
Sphargis id. GrirFitu, Cuv. Vol. 9, p. 17, and 88 plate. Gray, Synops. p. 20. 
S.id. Bonar. Faun, Ital. figure. (Young.) 
S.id. Srorrr. Mass. Rep. p. 217, plate 4. Hotproox, N. Am. Herp. Vol. 2, p. 45, pl. 6. 
Characteristics. Shell with seven longitudinal ridges, truncated in front, pointed behind. 
Length 6 — 8 feet. 
Description. Upper surface smooth and polished, of a leathery appearance, truncate, emar- 
ginate in front, with a rather elongated process on the sides of the neck, obtusely pointed 
behind. Surface of the shield divided into separate oblong compartments by seven equidis- 
tant longitudinal ridges, which are obsoletely nodulous, becoming more indistinct behind : 
The first runs along the dorsal ridge ; the next on each side commencing in advance of the 
dorsal ridge, and approaches it behind; the third pair on each side begins posterior to the 
first; the last ridge is formed by the margin of the shell. These ridges are acute, slightly 
interrupted on the edge. Beneath, smooth, of a somewhat softer consistence. Head smooth, 
compressed nearly to an edge anterior to the eyes. Jaws sharp, the upper emarginate in 
front to receive the acute hooked point of the lower jaw; on each side of the central notch 
is another, not quite as deep, and more rounded. Strong spinous processes in the roof of the 
mouth, and in the esophagus. Nostrils small, circular, and placed behind the tip of the 
snout. Eyes large, opening obliquely. Anterior feet smooth, elongated, ending in a blunt 
point, and twice the length of the posterior pair. Posterior feet rounded, or rather obliquely 
truncated behind, with a softer margin. ‘Tail pyramidal, compressed laterally, pointed, and 
extending beyond the shell. 
Color, of the head and buckler, dull blackish brown, and in the fresh state with a bluish 
tinge. Extremities obsoletely spotted with greyish. The under parts marbled with blackish, 
on a yellowish or soiled whitish ground. 
