490 MISS JOAN B. PROCTER ON THE 



nasals meeting each other by a mesial suture of variable length, 

 usually between one-fourth and two-thirds length of prsefrontal 

 {i^ide text-fig. 2 a). 



Horny coverings of sheaths of alveolar ridges of maxillse and 

 mandibles with regular, clearly-defined denticulations, 15 to 20 

 (usually about 20) on each outer, and 6 to 9 (usually about 7) on 

 each inner maxilla; 12 to 15 on each outer and 5 to 9 or 10 on 



Text-figure 2. 



c. 



b. 



a. Upper surface of head. (Adult; nat. size.) b. Side view of head. 

 e. Hornj' teeth enlarged. 



each inner mandible. Beak tricuspid, with one or two of these 

 denticulations between each cusp. Sometimes the points of these 

 odontoids look precisely like the regular teeth of an Agamoid 

 lizard ; but in other individuals they are not so well developed. 

 They may be more so in the upper than the under jaw, or on the 

 outer or the inner ridges, but whenever distinct are extremely 

 regular {vide text-fig. 2 h, c). In all cases they are more developed 

 in the horn than in the underlying bone. 



Limbs. 



Lower part of fore-limbs covered with large claw- or scale-like 

 shields, three very much enlarged on the anterior surface above 

 wrist ; normally five well-developed claws. 



Tibial portion of hind-limb often longer than radial portion of 

 fore-limb, covered with irregular juxtaposed horny shields the 

 size of those on the humeral portion of the fore-limb ; scales on 

 sole enlarged and claw-like in adults ; normally four strong 

 claws. In an abnormal specimen these claws are so overgrown 

 that the outer one measures 13 mm. A group of enlarged 

 tubercles on hinder side of thigh in some individuals. 



The limbs are not nearly so club-shaped as in most species of 

 Testudo ; both wrists and ankles are supple and defined by a well- 

 marked crease in the skin ; the foot projects considerably {vide 

 PI. I.). This is especially marked in the young. 



Tail. 

 Tail normal, much longer and stouter in the male than in the 

 female. 



