70 CLASS REPTILIA, 



evident approximation to Emys, and the large openings for 

 the feet indicate great facility and power of motion. Accord- 

 ingly, the movements of this tortoise are far more lively than 

 those of others of its family. The feet have the elevated form 

 of the land tortoises, but with a clear approach to the flat- 

 tened palmate form of Emys, and the claws have somewhat 

 of the length and sharpness of those of the latter. These 

 affinities are corroborated by the structure of the dorsum or 

 carapace, which is divided into two portions, the hinder of 

 which is moveable, and can come in contact with the hinder 

 margin of the sternum, and thus completely secure the hind 

 feet and tail, when they are drawn within the shell. Also, by 

 a relaxation of the muscles which thus close the box, it may 

 be opened, about one-half or three-fourths of an inch. This 

 mobility is produced by the want of any bony union between 

 the fifth and sixth ribs, which are connected only by an elastic 

 ligament. In older specimens Mr. Bell has observed, that 

 part of the inferior margin of the upper shell, which is 

 opposed to the edge of the sternum, to be eroded by the force 

 of its continual action. 



The situation of the hinge, and the part which closes the 

 shell, are indeed different in the two groups {Kinyxys and 

 Emys) ; still the fact of a structure for this specific end, 

 proves relationship, and added to other affinities, establishes 

 the link required. 



Two specimens of another species, in the British Museum, 

 presented by Sir Everard Home, exhibit the same peculiarity 

 of structure. 



To this genus, Mr. Bell has given the name Kinyxys, 

 from Y-inuj, moveo ; and 't|t/f, lumhiis. 



The other genus presents an affinity, or possibly, says Mr. 

 Bell, only an analogical relation to the box tortoises, though 

 it strictly belongs to the terrestrial. A perfect specimen, in 

 which the sternum was uninjured, exhibited a perfect land 



