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XII. Observations on some rare Reptiles and a Batrachian now or lately living in the 
Society's Menagerie. By Dr. Avsrrt Ginrner, F.RS., V.P.Z.S. 
Received December 7th, read December 14th, 1880. 
[Piates XLII. to XLVI] 
CHELYs Fimprrata (Schneid.). (Plate XLII.) 
THE Matamata is an inhabitant of stagnant waters of Brazil and Guyana. The 
adaptation of almost every part of this extraordinary creature for its aquatic life, 
and for the purpose of concealment, is perfect. When this Turtle rests on the 
surface of the water, or lies half buried at the bottom in the sand, the broad, flat 
shell with three rough ridges resembles a stone, which by other animals will be 
readily taken as a place of refuge or rest. The neck is long, broad, and flat, inca- 
pable of being retracted within the shell, but can be bent backwards on the right 
side of the animal. Its sides bear a fringe of broad, dentated tentacles, floating in 
the water like some vegetable growth. ‘The flat triangular upper surface of the 
head is enlarged by a skinny postero-lateral lappet overhanging the large tympanum, 
and terminates in front in a thin flexible proboscis. This enables the animal to 
breathe without raismg the whole head and thus making the ripple on the surface 
of the water by which other freshwater Turtles betray their presence. The eyes are 
very small, though clear and perfectly developed. The cleft of the mouth is wide; 
but the jaws with their horny covering are narrow, feeble, and remarkably flexible. 
Naturalists and travellers have left us, singularly enough, very much in the dark as 
regards the habits of this singular creature. Bruguiéres tells us that it is eagerly 
sought for by the Indians for food, that it feeds on the plants growing near the water’s 
edge, and that he has kept one for some time alive on herbs and bread. As regards 
its diet, Bruguieres probably was mistaken. Schomburgk (Reis. Brit. Guiana, i. p. 326) 
speaks in words of the utmost disgust of its appearance and intolerable smell. He 
found it rather frequent on the sandbanks of the river Takutu (ii. p. 29), generally 
half hidden in the sand in shallow water which barely covered the animal, motionless, 
and apparently watching for its prey. Without an attempt to escape and without any 
struggle the Turtles allow themselves to be taken. Schomburgk confirms that they are 
eaten by the Indians (iii. p. 647). 
‘The specimens which are at present in the Menagerie of the Society fully bear out 
Schomburgk’s observations as regards the extreme sluggishness of the animal, and the 
penetrating smell, which, after handling them for a short time only, adheres to the 
hand for nearly twenty-four hours, and resembles the musky smell of the Alligator. 
VoL. X1.—Part vil. No. 1.—October, 1882. 21 
