S20 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Reptiles. 



it is with the utmost difficulty that it can be prevailed upon to 

 let go. The Chinese boil it into soup, and esteem it a great 

 delicacy for the table ; hence it commands rather a high price. 



Genus Cistoclemmys, J. E. Gray. 



" Thorax convex, solid. Sternum nearly flat, rounded before 

 and behind; the front lobe large, partly enclosed in the symphysis. 

 The fore feet subclavate; the toes very short, nearly enclosed, 

 not webbed ; the claws short, blunt. The hind feet elephantine, 

 subcircular ; toes very short, enclosed. Soles with two series 

 of large prominent shields ; the hinder edge keeled, but scarcely 

 produced. Tail shielded beneath. Asiatic. 



" This genus, in the convex and solid structure of the thorax, 

 is like Cistudo ; but the foot is more like that of the land Tor- 

 toises ; and the hind foot is subcylindrical, instead of elongate 

 as in the American genus. 



3. " Cistoclemmys jiavomarginata, u. sp. 



" Cuora irifasciata, var., Grays Cat. Shield Reptiles in Brit. Mus. p. 42, 

 specimen c. 



" Dark brown ; shields of the back deeply concentrically 

 grooved ; the sternum flat, black ; the lower side of the margni 

 of the thorax yellow ; head olive, temple yellow, with a yellow 

 streak on each side of the crown, becoming wider and triangular 

 behind. 



" The surface of the shell is often more or less eroded ; the 

 one which we first received from ]\Ir. Reeves was so on the whole 

 upper surface. The form of the foot, as well as the height and 

 thickness of the shell, at once separates this species from Cuora 

 irifasciata, with which I formerly confounded it." (J. E. Gray, 

 P.Z.S. 1863, p. 175.) 



In the British Museum there is a specimen of this species 

 brought home by Mr. Reeves from Canton. I should think 

 that it was more than probable that the animal had been carried 

 to that port in a junk, and is not indigenous to that locality ; 

 for in Formosa I found it extremely local. It did not occur m 

 the South-west at all ; but about Tamsuy, North-west Formosa, 

 it was the prevailing species. I frequently observed it in ponds 

 about the rice-fields, with its round back showing above the 

 surface of the water and its head peering out. At times several 

 might be seen together on the tops of stones in the water, bask- 

 ing motionless, with limbs extended. On being alarmed they 

 would shuffle off" the stones with all the energy m their power, 

 and plumping into the water, sink immediately. If the observer 



