HYDRASPIS. 39 



This genus forms section c. of the genus Emys of Oppel, 

 and part of the Hydraspis of Mr. Bell. 



The shell is depressed, broad, and covered with very thin 

 smooth membranaceous shields, without any distinct areolae, 

 the sternum is very broad, and rounded in front, with the 

 intergular plate long, hexagonal, and placed in the angle 

 between the gular and humeral plates. 



The neck is very long : the head as in the other animals of 

 this family, is bent in under the side margin of the shell, as 

 ■was first observed by Dr. Oppel, in 1811. 



1. Chelodina longicollis, {Lo?2g-?iecked chelodina.) Testa 

 oblonga depressa, scutellis fuscis.vertebralium primo elongato, 

 sterno luteo scutellis fusco-marginatis. 



Testudo longicollis, Shaw, New Hoi. t. 7, (v. t. Mus. Brit.) 

 cop. Zool. iii. t. 6. Emys longicollis, Schw. (v. t. Mus. Par.) 



Habit, in Nova HoUandia, (v. v. et t. Mus. Brit.) 



Gen. 3. HYDRASPIS. {Hydraspis.) 



Maxillae corneee, nares breves tubulares, sternum solidum 

 angustum, scutellum intgrgulare marginale. 



These shells are depressed and broad, covered with rather 

 thin horny plates, gene'-ally in their youth marked by distinct 

 areolae, which disappear by age. The margin is generally 

 narrow on the sides, and often furnished with a nuchal plate. 



The sternum is narrow, truncated in front and bifid and 

 narrower behind. The intergular plate is marginal between 

 the gular plates. 



The head is broad, depressed, and covered with one or 

 more large shields ; and the chin is furnished with two beards. 

 The neck is large and warty. 



According to Spix, the Brasilian species feed on fruit and 

 grass, and lay their eggs in the sand. Those I have had alive 

 of the Cape species chose worms and fish-intestines, and 

 would not touch vegetables. 



This genus only contains part of the Hydraspis of Mr. 

 Bell ; the Chelodina of Fitzinger appears to be synonymous 

 with it. 



1. Hydraspis sulnifa, [Cape Hydraspis.) Testa oblonga 

 humili unicolore pallide fusca, scutellis laevibus, vertebralibus 

 complanatis, nuchali nuUo, marginalibus laterahbus angustis- 

 simis ; capite depresso laevi, scutellis magnis tecto. 



