116 



TESTUDINIDJE. 



Cistudo virginea, Agassiz, Contr. N. H. U. S. i. p. 445, pi. iv. 



fio-s. 17-10 (18o7). 

 TeiTapene cariuata,^S/!r«McA, C/ielon. 6Ym</. p. 96 (1802), and } erth. 



Schildh: p. 45 (1805). 



Carapace very convex, subhemispherical or shortly oval, with at 

 least a ti'ace 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 Cistudo Carolina. 



shields, and a very short portion of the pectorals, in contact with the 

 marginals ; the longest plastral shields are the fcmorals 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 



