July 16, 1839.] ■'-■*' [Cope. 



SEVENTH CONTRIBUTION TO THE HERPETOLOGY OF 



TROPICAL AMERICA. 



By Edward D. Cope. 



[Read he/iire tlie. Ainerican Philu.mphical Sucietij, July 16, 18C9.] 



Hydkomedusa tectipera, Cope, sp. nov. 



Char. The anterior portion of the carapace depressed and prolonged ; 

 the first vertebral scutum nearly twice as long as wide ; the nuchal scu- 

 tum narrow transverse, twice as wide as the first vertebral ; four times 

 as wide as long. Light brown, with slightly radiating or transverse 

 darker brown spots on the costal plates. Below bright yellow. 



Description. Carapace more elevated at the anterior vertebral bone 

 than above the pelvis, then descending steeply, and prolonged roof-like 

 to the nuchal margin. Posteriorly rather abruptly decurved to oppo- 

 site the lowest plane of the sterniun, and considerably below the strongly 

 recurved points of the posterior lobe of the same. Two posterior verte- 

 brals and each posterior costal with a projection at the posterior part. 

 Margin a little elevated and turned out above the hinder limbs. The 

 sides descend steeply, and the superior plane is broad outside of the 

 scapulae. Lateral marginals not prominent, being a ridge directed rather 

 upwards, which is bounded above by a strong groove. Fine median mar- 

 ginals not united to disc throughout, but by costal processes. The first 

 three marginal bones very much wider than long, the second nearly twice 

 as wide. The nuchal marginal very large, as long as wide. Three mar- 

 ginal bones of the bridge with an undulate ridge along their upper 

 margin, the third with the ridge running diagonally across it, descending 

 behind. 



Two last pairs of costal bones united on the median line. Last verte- 

 bral scutum of an urceolate form, much narrower at its point of contact 

 with the penultimate. The latter the narrowest of the series. Penulti- 

 mate marginal scutum extending nearly to the middle of the last verte- 

 bral. Second marginal scutum much longer than wide, the first, twice 

 as long- as wide. First costal longer than wide. 



Sternum without fontanelle or intersternal elements, the anterior 

 lobe both longer and wider than the posterior. The gular scuta small, 

 the humeral and femoral each considerably wider than the pectoral. 

 No axillary or inguinal plates, bridge short ; claws strong. Posterior 

 lobes with a deep rounded emargination. 



Measurements. 



In. Lin. 



Length carapace (over arch) 11 4 



Depth. 3 1 



Length sternum 8 4 



Total width below 6 2 



Length bridge 1 8 



' ' femur (straight) 2 4 



" tibia 2 5 



" foot 23 



Upper surface of limbs dark brown. 



