TESTUDO. 19 



b. Hinder part of head covered with small 

 shields. 



a'. Choanae between the eyes BELLIA, p. 32. 



V. Choanae behind the level of the eyes .... DAMONIA, p. 34. 

 C. Digits distinct, extensively or entirely webbed ; 

 alveolar surface of upper jaw with one or two 

 median ridges. 

 a. Fourth vertebral shield not longer than third, 



embracing three neural bones. 

 a'. Axillary and inguinal buttresses of plastron 

 short; choanse behind the level of the 



eyes MOBENIA, p. 35. 



b'. Axillary and inguinal buttresses much de- 

 veloped, the former connected with the 

 first rib or nearly reaching it. 

 a". Choanee behind the level of the eyes ; al- 

 veolar surface of upper jaw with a single 



median ridge HARDELLA, p. 36. 



b". Choana? behind the level of the eyes ; 

 alveolar surface of upper jaw with two 

 median ridges; fore limb with four 



claws only BATAGUR, p. 37. 



b. Fourth vertebral shield elongate, embracing 



four or five neural bones KACHUGA, p. 38. 



Genus TESTUDO, 

 Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 350 (part.), 1766. 



Neural plates usually alternately tetragonal and octagonal ; costal 

 plates alternately narrower and wider. Suture between the mar- 

 ginal and costal bones and shields usually corresponding ; supra- 

 caudal shield usually single. Plastron extensively united to the 

 carapace by suture, with short axillary and inguinal buttresses, 

 which do not reach, or just reach, the costal plates ; entoplastrou 

 usually anterior to the humero-pectoral suture. Skull with weak 

 or moderately wide postorbital and temporal arches ; alveolar surface 

 of upper jaw with one or two median ridges ; choanae between the 

 eyes. Head shielded above. Limbs club-shaped, covered with 

 large scales or tubercles. Tail short. 



This genus, of which some 40 species are known, is represented 

 in every part of the world except Australia. Habits terrestrial and 

 herbivorous. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A . Supracaudal shield single. 



a. Nuchal shield present ; forehead with large 



shields. 

 a'. Anal shields forming a very short suture, 



or entirely separated by the anal notch. . T. elongata, p. 20. 

 b'. Suture between the anals at least as long as 



that between the abdominals T. leithii, p. 20. 



C2 



