8 HR. "W. TIIEOnALB, JUN., ON THE 



a. Young female 5*90 



5-80 

 5-60 



Tlie nuclei were smooth ; umbilical cicatrix closed. 



This Tortoise is common in upper Birma, hut only found close 

 to the frontier within British territory (Pegu). Its shells, how- 

 ever, are imported from above the frontier, and vised to measure 

 oil by the retail vendors in Eangoon and other towns. It is 

 unknown in Lower Pegu or Teuasserim, where T. elongata re- 

 places it. 



The land and freshwater Testudinata are a favourite article of 

 food with all classes in Birma, save such as have embraced Islam, 

 or Jews. Tcstudo flatynotus and T. elonrjata are generally obtained 

 in the hot season, wlientlie grass jungles and forest are set on lire, 

 and tlio animals revealed by tlio ilamca, wliicli not only dislodge 

 them, but clear tlio ground of all loaves and such liglit shelter, 

 beneath which they lio concealed. Numbers, of course, perish 

 miserably in the flames, whilst a few escape ; and it is not rare to 

 obtain animals bearing on them scars and marks of former burn- 

 ings, which they have survived. At other seasons they are 

 occasionally souglit for Avith dogs, who are very sagacious and 

 eager in the pursuit not only of game, but of Tortoises also and 

 the large Varani. 



Batagur JBerdmorei is captured in incredible numbers in the 

 inundated plains of lower Pegu, which on drying up are covered 

 over with thick grass. About March or April this is set on fire ; 

 and the scorched animals are picked up by dozens, or sought for 

 amongst the unconsumed tvifts beneath which they have retreated. 



Cyclemys orhiculata is found in the hill-streams, some men, 

 especially the Karens, being very expert in detecting their haunts, 

 which arc much the same as those of the soft Turtles (Trionycida^) . 

 In hunting for the soft Turtles in the hill-streams, the men use a 

 long iron fork, such as an old iron ramrod sharpened at one end, 

 or a stout strip of Bamboo, which they thrust down for a foot or 

 two in the sol't vegetable sludge and decayed leaves found along the 

 margin of deep pools in the hill-streams. If the fork touches a 

 Turtle concealed below, the motion of the animal is felt : a cautious 

 examination is then made with the hand, and a fish-hook is cleverly 

 inserted in the soft part of the mantle about the tail, then another, 

 and even three or four, if the animal is large. A steady haul 

 is now made, and out comes the Turtle, wildly floundering, and 



