446 



Jaclcson^s Anatomical Description 



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the scuta towards the centre, both of which are much 

 more strongly marked in the young animal, as shown 

 in two or three specimens in the Cabinet. There are, 

 however, irregularities on the surface which are evi- 

 dently the result of external injury, and correspond 

 with a thickening of the bone beneath. Color of the 

 upper shell deep brown, almost black ; under shell has a 

 light shade of the same color and the surface is more 

 rough than that of the upper. Dimensions as follows : 

 length of upper shell, following the curve, three feet nine 

 inches ; breadth of same, three feet ten inches ; vertical 



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diameter, seventeen inches ; lateral, two feet four inches ; 

 circumference of upper shell, following the edge, nine 

 feet ten inches; length of head and neck sixteen inches; 

 of head alone five and a half inches ; and breadth four 

 and a half; anterior extremity twenty inches in length, 

 and the posterior a very little longer ; length of tail, 

 eleven inches, and breadth at base, four ; longest nail on 

 hind foot, one and a half inches — there are five toes on 

 the front, and four on the hind feet. 



Weight of the female not noted, but it was not far 

 from 240 pounds. In PI. X. is seen a drawing made from 

 a very correct colored view which was taken after death, 

 but before the dissection. The color and the number of 

 the scuta are the same as in the male ; the form of the 

 upper shell, however, is quite different, having almost a 

 globular appearance and the sternum is much less hollow-. 

 ed, show^ing one of the peculiarities of the sex. " The 

 lateral compression of the anterior part of the dorsal shell 

 and the elevation of its front margin,^' by which some 

 have thought the Galapagos Tortoise to be distinguished 

 from the Indian (Proceedings of the Zoological Society 

 of London. Oct. 14th lfl.^4\ wac nrkt fnnnd in anv one 



