CHELONIA. 



757 



Tersely. It has also the anterior margin, of the shell slightly reverted and the caudal 

 region more produced downwards. The dorsal ridge is also more marked. The 

 interval between the margin of the carapace and the sternum is less than in the 

 female, and instead of being convex, as in the latter, it is irregularly flat and concave, 

 the sternal ridge being much more developed than in the opposite sex, and the 

 sternum slightly contracted at its middle and always more or less concave, with the 

 margins tending to reversion. The anal notch is also deeper than in the female. 

 The plates of the carapace and sternum are much the same as in the female, and 

 they are very thin in both sexes, and are very easily rubbed off. 



Shells of B. (Jf.) ocellata, D. & B. 





6 



6 



9 



5 



Lengtli of carapace in a straight line 



Breadth between second and third costals over curve ..... 



Length of sternum in straight line 



Axillary breadth 



Inguinal „ ............ 



Depth through third vertebral 



6-l| 



6-2 



5-2 



2-7 

 2-5 



2-7* 



5-11 



6-1 



4-lOi 



2-4| 



2-4 



2-5 



8-5 



9-2 



7-4 



3-6 



3-10 



4-1 



8-2 



8-6 



7-1 



3-5 



3-51 



3-8i 



In males, measuring as above, the carapace is wholly ossified, while in females of 

 the same size there is a considerable unossified area between all the costals and mar- 

 ginals, which would appear to be conclusive proof of the smaller size of the male. 



The snout is short and rather pointed, and the nostrils close together, round, 

 and directed forwards. The margins of the jaw are finely serrated, and there is 

 a notch in the front of the upper jaw, with a tooth on either side of it between 

 which the symphysial hook of the lower jaw is received. The upper surface of the 

 head is flat, and covered by one plate ; and there is a large plate behind the eye. The 

 plate of the mandible is backwardly convex on the chin, and there is a small plate 

 below its extremities and below the angle of the mouth. A series of very small scales 

 behind the angle of the mouth ; the mental glands each open by two orifices in the 

 usual position. Skin of tympanum nearly smooth. Neck moderately long ; the 

 skin on its upper surface nearly smooth, with scattered minute round blackish 

 papillae ; the skin on the sides and under surface somewhat scaly and papillar. The 

 base of the neck is smooth, as is also the skin on the groin. The fore feet are broad 

 and powerful ; the toes broad, and the five claws strong. The toes are covered with 

 from five to six transverse plates, and the upper surface of the free j)ortion of the 

 limb with separate transverse plates. The sole is covered with rounded plates, above 

 wliich there is a transverse naked area, succeeded by a transverse row of three 

 large plates. The outer margin is fringed with five to six largish plates. The upper 

 surface is nearly free of transverse scales, except on the sides, and there are a few 

 scattered minute papillae on the bare portions. The tail is short, but it projects 

 one-half of its length beyond the carapace. The latter half of its under surface 

 has a double row of enlarged scales. Its sides and upper surface are covered with 

 sharp conical tubercles, among which some larger ones occur on the sides. 



