SIDE-NECKED. TORTOISES. 91 



vertebral shields are broader than long, and the hinder marginals are more or less 

 strongly serrated, while there is a distinct nuchal shield on the front edge of the 

 carapace. On the removal of the horny shields from the carapace, it is seen that 

 only the last pair of costal bones meet in the middle line, owing to the presence of 

 but seven neural bones. The plastron is narrow and deeply notched behind, the tail 

 is very short, and the toes are fully webbed. In addition to the rows of fimbriated 

 appendages on each side of the neck, there is a similar outgrowth of skin on the 

 chin and larger pair of appendages above the ears. In colour the adult is uniform 

 brown, but the young are prettily marked with bands of brown and yellow on the 



MATAMATA TORTOISE (\ nat. size). 



chin and neck, while the shell is ornamented with black and yellow spots. The 

 species is of comparatively large size, the shell attaining a length of 15 inches. 



Unfortunately, but little is known as to the mode of life of this strange tortoise. 

 When in its native element, the warty appendages on the neck float in the water 

 like some vegetable growth, while the rugged and bossed shell strongly resembles 

 a stone; and it is thus probable that the whole appearance of the creature is 

 advantageous either in deluding its enemies or in attracting to it the animals on 

 which it feeds the latter being the more likely hypothesis. Although it appears 

 that the matamata will occasionally eat vegetable substances, its chief food consists 

 of fish, frogs, and tadpoles, some of which may probably be attracted within reach 



