Vol. II, Pt. I] VAN DENBURGH— GALAPAGOS TORTOISES £49 



stituting for it Baur's later but more definite name Testudo 

 galapagoensis; but to me the evidence seems sufficiently con- 

 clusive to justify the retention of Harlan's excellent name for 

 the Charles Island tortoise. 



4. Testudo nigrita Dumeril & Bibron. 1835 

 Regarding this name I quote from Giinther: 



"No doubt can possibly be entertained as regards the cor- 

 rect application of this name to the species which I am about 

 to describe. It had been given by Dumeril and Bibron (Er- 

 petol. Gener. II, p. 80) to two examples, of which the smaller, 

 very young one, is in the Paris Museum, whilst the larger, but 

 also of young age, is the property of the Royal College of 

 Surgeons. Bibron's description is almost entirely drawn up 

 from the latter specimen, which, therefore, must be regarded 

 as the type." 



Giinther associated with this specimen a large carapace, with- 

 out plastron, belonging to the British Museum. Nothing is 

 known regarding the origin of these specimens. Giinther 

 figured both the type and large carapace, and states that both 

 probably were males. Study of the plates and measurements 

 given has developed no reason for doubting the correctness 

 of Giinther's conclusion that these two specimens represent 

 the same species of tortoise. 



Since the original specimens of Dumeril and Bibron repre- 

 sent anim.als too young to have developed distinctive specific 

 characters, the attempt to determine to which particular race 

 the name Testudo nigrita should apply must rest upon the 

 adult specimen with which Giinther later associated it. This 

 specimen has the following measurements : 



Straight length 39.25 inches 



Straight width 33.50 " 85% 



Length over curve 50.75 " 129% 



Width over curve 52.25 " 133% 



Width at 2-3d marginals 21. " 53% 



Unfortunately this specimen is incomplete. There remains 

 only the upper shell. However, the circular outline and the 

 great height of the dome-shaped carapace are so characteristic 

 that I have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that it 



