No. 128. 
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON." 
February 17th, 1914. 
Prof, EK. A. Mincuin, M.A., F.R.S., Vice-President, 
in the Chair. 
The Minutes of the last Scientific Meeting were confirmed. 
The Secretary read a Report on the Additions made to the 
Society’s Menagerie during the month of January, 1914. 
Mr. E. G. Boutencer, F.Z.8., Curator of Reptiles, exhibited a 
photograph of a female example of the Giant Saddle-backed 
Tortoise (Zestudo abingdonit) recently purchased by the Society. 
On the arrival of the tortoise, the origin of which was unknown, 
Mr. Boulenger was somewhat puzzled as to the species to which 
it should be referred, but, on carefully comparing it with the 
Saddle-backed Tortoise in the British Museum, came to the 
conclusion that the specimen was none other than the hitherto- 
unknown female of 7. abingdonti, a species which had never 
previously been brought to Europe alive, and which was thought 
to be extinct. An inspection of the very representative collec- 
tion of Giant Tortoises in the Tring Museum strengthened the 
conclusion arrived at. 
From the few male specimens in museums this Tortoise differs 
by the fore-part of the shell being less strongly compressed and 
not reaching the same height, more as in 7’. ephipiwm, by the 
comparatively greater breadth of the hinder part of the carapace, 
by the broader bridge, and by the smaller size of the marginals 
bordering the bridge. 
Mr. Boulenger also remarked upon some of the habits of this 
species. 
* This Abstract is published by the Society at its offices, Zoological Gardens, 
Regent’s Park, N.W., on the Tuesday following the date of Meeting to which 
it refers. It will be issued, along with the ‘ Proceedings,’ free of extra charge, 
to all Fellows who subscribe to the Publications ; but it may be obtained on the 
day of publication at the price of Stxpence, or, if desired, sent post-free for 
the sum of Six Shillings per annum, payable in advance. 
