CHELONIA. 179 



Merrem has recently distinguished, by the name of Sphahgis, those Che- 

 lonix whose shell is destitute of plates, and merely covered with a sort of 

 leather. Such is 



Test, coriacea, L. A very large species of the Mediterranean. Its shell 

 is oval and pointed behind, exhibiting three projecting longitudinal ridges. 



Chelts, Dum. 



The Chelydes resemble fresh water Tortoises in their feet and nails; and 

 their most dominant character consists in their mouth, which opens cross- 

 wise, being unarmed with the horny beak common to the other Chelonis, 

 and similar to that of certain Batrachians, the Fipa in particular. 



list. Jimhria, Gm. The shell studded with pyramidal elevations, and the 

 body edged all round with a pinked fringe. It is found in Guiana. 



Triontx, Geoff. 



The Soft-shelled Tortoises have no scales, the shell and sternum being 

 simply enveloped by a soft skin; neither of those shells is completely sup- 

 ported by bones, as the ribs do not extend to the edge of the upper one, 

 and are united with each other only for a portion of their length, the parts 

 analogous to the sternal ribs being simple cartilage, and the sternal pieces 

 partially notched as in the sea-tortoises, not covering the whole lower sur- 

 face. The horn of their beak is invested externally with fleshy lips, and 

 their nose is prolonged into a little snout Their tail is very short. They 

 live in fresh water, and the flexible edges of their shell aid them in 

 swimming. 



Test, ferox, Gm. (The Soft-shelled Tortoise of America) Inhabits the 

 rivers of Carolina, Georgia, the Floridas, and of Guiana. It remains in am- 

 bush imder roots of reecls, &.c. whence it seizes birds, reptiles, &c., devours 

 the young Alligators, and is devoured in turn by the old ones. Its flesh is 

 highly esteemed. 



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ORDER II. 



SAURIA.(l) 



The Saurians have a heart like that of the Chelonia, composed of 

 two auricles and a ventricle, sometimes divided by imperfect par- 

 titions. 



Their ribs are movable, partly connected with the sternum, and 

 rise and fall in respiration. 



(1) From (rxufni! Lizard, animals analogous to Lizards. 



