EMYSPICTA. 21 



genus, by the beautiful colour and markings of the shell. In general it is of a 

 very dark brown, yet in some varieties it is much lighter, approaching to a dark 

 olive; along the spine is a yellow line; the vertebral and lateral plates are bordered 

 with the same colour. In old animals these are fawn colour; but in the young 

 they are so bright, especially when seen under water, as to resemble golden bands. 

 These bands vary in breadth; in some specimens they are narrow, almost linear; 

 while in others they are more than two lines in breadth. The marginal plates 

 are all marked both above and below^ with a bright red spot in the centre, which 

 is surrounded by concentric lines of the same colour; at times the upper surface 

 of the marginal plates appears clouded with red, resembling the mineral called 

 blood-stone. 



The sternum is entirely yellow, except at the wings, where it is somewhat dusky. 



The head above is dark, almost black, with several small yellow lines running 

 from the snout to the orbit of the eye. The upper as well as the lower jaw is of 

 dark fawn colour, marked with yellow lines; one of the lines passes through both 

 jaws in its descent, and continues along the neck. Back of each eye is an oblong 

 yellow spot, and another of the same colour, but still larger, is situated behind the 

 occiput; from each of these spots is continued a longitudinal line along the neck. 

 The neck itself is black, marked with longitudinal lines of orange and red; the 

 throat is of the same colour, and marked with similar lines, though they are 

 smaller and more numerous; one begins at the chin, and, after a short distance, 

 subdivides; between this subdivision is a central line; on either side of these 

 principal horizontal Hues are others intermediate and less distinct. 



The anterior extremities are black in front, with one or two red lines, the one 

 nearest the middle being the larger; the posterior surface is dark, and mottled 

 with orange or red. The posterior extremities are black, both above and beneath, 

 but the dark colour is relieved by orange lines; one begins near the anus, and runs 

 along the posterior border of the thigh. The tail is dark above, and mottled at 

 its base with red spots; a short longitudinal yellow line runs along the inferior 



