Miscellaneous. 351 



Description of a Reptile, the Chelonia Caretta, or Loggerhead Turtle, 

 new to the British Fauna. By Robert Dyce, M.D., Professor 

 of Midwifery in the University of Aberdeen. 



The reptile, of which the following is a description, was caught on 

 the 1st of August, 1861, at Pennan, near Banff, by the fishermen, in 

 the stake net, and was very lively and pugnacious. It is still alive. 



Testa convexa, scutellis disci 15, vertebrahbus convexis, maxillis ser- 



ratis {Gray, Syn.). 



This definition corresponds correctly with the specimen. The 

 shield is heart-shaped, very convex, and with a prominent row of 5 

 tubercles on the middle of the back of the shield, — the two lowest 

 almost rudimentary. Length of shield 19^ inches ; breadth of ditto 

 18 inches. 



Tail very short, just reaching to the inner edge of the marginal 

 plate. Dorsal plates 15 in number. Marginal plates 25. The 

 posterior edges of those near the hinder part are very prominent, so 

 as to form strong projecting points. 



The under or ventral side has 12 plates and 10 marginal. The 

 shield is 14 inches across, and 13 inches long. The two carinse, run- 

 ning the whole length, are not very marked ; the edges seem worn by 

 friction. Head large for the size of the animal, nearly 5 inches long, 

 covered with 24 or 25 plates, flattened above and at the sides. The 

 beak strong and hooked ; the lower jaw when the mouth is shut 

 passing a good way within the upper. Both jaws finely serrated. 



Fore feet 1 2 inches long. Hind feet 9 inches long, and broad, with 

 two strong, sharp claws on each of the four feet. 



The general colour is deep brown, streaked and spotted with yel- 

 low. Marginal plates lighter brown, and those near the shoulder 

 with more yellow. Under parts entirely yellowish white. 



The weight about 25 lbs. 



This species of Turtle has never before been described as an inha- 

 bitant of these seas. The number of dorsal plates, the tubercles on 

 the back, the large head, the serrated jaws, and marked heart-shape 

 of the carapace furnish very distinctive characters. 



This variety of Turtle {Caretta) is said to be one of the largest, 

 if not the largest, of the genus, as well as a " most fierce and vora- 

 cious reptile, even dangerous from its courage and ferocity." The 

 present specimen must therefore be considered a very small one ; yet 

 it does not appear to be young, judging from the coarseness and 

 thickness of the shield, the size of its head, and other marks of ma- 

 turity. The marginal plates are here and there notched and jagged 

 at their edges, and the ventral shield worn and rubbed, as if the ani- 

 mal had undergone some rough usage in its long and perhaps stormy 

 journey across the Atlantic to this country. 



On the occurrence of the Loggerhead Turtle in Scotland. 



Rowardannon Lodge, Loch Lomond, 

 August 23, 1861. 

 My dear Sir, — We are staying here with a very high lake (8 feet 

 higher than usual), and gusty weather. Last night, on taking a turn 



