1872.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON PELTASTKS FORSTENH. (i 1 5 



5. On Peltastes forstenii, a Species of Land-Tortoise from 

 Celebes. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. 



[Keceived April 1, 1872.] 

 (Plate XLIII.) 



We have received, together with other Reptiles from Celebes, col- 

 lected by Dr. A. B. Meyer, a Tortoise in spirits which is very like 

 Testudo elongata in general appearance, but different from it in 

 many essential particulars, as, for example, the shields on the head, 

 the depressed form of the body, and the total absence of any nuchal 

 plate, showing that it is a most distinct species. 



I have no doubt that this Tortoise is a specimen of the Testudo for- 

 stenii of Schlegel and Midler, mentioned in a note to the • Verhan- 

 delingen over de Natuurl. Geschied. Nederland. Overzee. Bezitt.' 

 Reptiha, p. 30, which, as they state, they intended to describe and 

 figure more in detail ; but as I am not aware that the description or 

 figure has ever been published, I think it well to send the Society a 

 note and figure of the species. 



Dr. Gunther has kindly translated for me the following extract of 

 all the particulars which the authors give of this species: — "Shield 

 oblong and very convex ; no sternal shield ; hindmost sternal scutes 

 small ; tail unusually short, obtusely conical ; soles with tubercular 

 scales. Scales along the outer margin of the fore feet large, unguicu- 

 late. Snout above with a pair of large scutes; then follows a crown- 

 shield, with a moderate shield on each side ; the other shields on 

 the head irregular. Light brown above, with irregular larger and 

 smaller black spots; sternum with a large black spot on each side. — 

 Gilolo." 



Testudo forstenii. (Plate XLIII.) 



Shell pale yellowish brown, with few black stains, those on 

 the costal and submarginal shields the smallest ; oblong, rather 

 broader behind than in front, rather depressed, with a flattened 

 centre to the back. The vertebral plates broader than long, the 

 first shortest, pentangular, produced into an angle in front, the 

 second, third, and fourth rather oblong four-sided, with the middle 

 of the sides rather produced; the last largest, as long as broad. 

 Nuchal plate none. Marginal plates high, the first, second, and 

 third strongly produced, angular ; the eighth to eleventh rather 

 produced at the edge and slightly recurved ; caudal plate very broad, 

 more than twice as broad as high, rather produced on the hinder 

 edge. The sternum flat, notched in front, and a very large deep 

 notch behind ; three front pairs of plates narrow ; abdominal plate 

 very large ; anal plates small, triangular. Beak strong ; upper jaw 

 with three indistinct teeth on the front edge, very obscurely prominent 

 iu the middle, between the nostrils ; crown covered with symmetrical 

 small shields, the supemasal shields being much the largest ; the 

 chin and the throat covered witli very minute scales ; the fore legs 



