408 dr. j. e. gray on the genera of turtles. [apr. ], 



2. Cephalochelys. 



Head large. Beak very large and strong, with a deep notch on 

 the centre of the margin of the upper edge for the nostrils. Nasal 

 shields very short, hroader than long ; the frontal plate elongate, 

 narrow in front ; parietal shields moderate, broader than long, many- 

 sided ; occipital shields two, large, with some small scales at the 

 binder part of the central suture. Four superocular shields on each 

 side ; the two front square, rather longer than broad ; the two 

 hinder larger, broader than long. The cheeks with a series of four 

 shields on the hinder edge of the orbit, the upper one being the 

 smallest and shortest. The temples with three large shields and 

 some small ones. 



The alveolar surface of the upper beak with a large diverging 

 ridge on the middle of each side, which is much broader in front 

 (and these are separated from each other by a longitudinal groove), 

 with a pit quite in front of it, for the reception of the hook of 

 the lower jaw, and with a very broad, nearly flat surface behind it. 

 The alveolar surface of the lower beak very deeply concave, with a 

 very sharp high outer edge, and a high acute edge on the inner side, 

 with a central longitudinal prominence crossing the hinder half of the 

 alveolar concavity. 



The pectoral fins with a large strong claw at the end of the front 

 finger. 



1. Cephalochelys oceanica, Gray, Hand-list Tort. p. 91. 



Unfortunately the British Museum only possesses the head, neck, 

 and fore fins of this Turtle, which was purchased of a dealer, who 

 said it came from the West Coast of America — he believed, Mexico ; 

 so that I cannot describe the rest of the animal, and especially the 

 bones of the back and sternum and the plates with which they are 

 covered. The size of the beak and the shields of the head leave no 

 doubt that it is distinct. 



3. ?Eremonia. 



Head and fins unknown. 



Shell elongate, contracted behind, marginal plates seventeen. Two 

 caudal marginal plates very large, square, much longer than broad. 

 Thorax convex on the sides. Vertebral shields in the adult much 

 longer than broad, slightly six-sided, scarcely keeled ; the last very 

 large, as broad as long. 



1. Eremonia elongata, Gray, Hand-list Tort. p. 9G. (Fig. 3, 

 dorsal disk.) 



Caouana elongata, Gray, Cat. Tort. &c. B. M. 1840, p. 53 ; Cat. 

 Sh. Rep. p. 73. 



Hab. Ocean. 



The shell of this animal has been in the Museum for more than 

 forty years ; and, though frequently searched for amongst dealers and 

 in museums both British and Continental, I have never been able to 



