Kinosternon Shavianum. 303 



Shell elongato-ovatej tricarinated ; the plates imbricated, those 

 of the margin 23 in number ; sternum bifid behind. 



Of this elegant species I have seen but a single specimen, now 

 in my collection, which, as I obtained it from a dealer who had 

 long possessed it, may, not improbably, be the identical one 

 figured by Shaw, and stated by him to have been in the Leverian 

 museum. 



The general form of the shell is oblong, very slightly narrowed 

 behind, obtuse before, and subemarginate, but the emargination 

 interrupted by the projection of the central marginal plate. It is 

 gibbous, and much rounded at the sides, as high as the lateral 

 carinas, between each of which and the central ridge runs a deep 

 even furrow. The plates are polished, and elegantly sculptured ; 

 those of the spine rather long and narrow, and of beautiful forms ; 

 the posteriour edge of each lying over the anteriour one of the 

 next. The area or nucleus of each plate, to which the different 

 layers of horny matter are added during growth, is situated at its 

 posteriour angle. The sternum is considerably narrower than the 

 upper shell, to which the middle lobe is strongly connected by 

 bony union. The anteriour and posteriour moveable valves are 

 united to the middle portion in an almost straight direction. The 

 hinder part of the sternum is narrowed, and emarginate at the 

 extremity. When shut, this portion does not fit the upper shell, 

 so that it is never so close at that part as in many other species 

 of the group. 



The general colour of the upper shell is a very deep blackish 

 brown ; the sternum and under part of the margin yellowish. 



As the brief account given by Dr. Shaw of this interesting 

 species is extremely vague and unsatisfactory, I have thought it 

 necessary to enter into a more detailed description of it; and 

 have named it in honour of that naturalist. It is remarkable 

 that he should for one moment have considered it as a variety of 

 Testudo PennsT/lvanica (Gmel.) to which it bears scarcely the 

 least general resemblance, and from which it differs in so many 

 essential characters. Of the animal itself unfortunately nothing 

 is known. 



