26 EMYSGUTTATA. 



in the transverse direction; the fourth is also hexagonal, with its posterior margin 

 shortest, and often curved to receive the anterior border of the fifth vertebral 

 plate, vi^hich is heptagonal, smaller in front and broader below. The lateral plates 

 are four in number on each side; of these the anterior is irregularly triangular, 

 with its apex truncated and turned upwards, and its basis rounded, directed down- 

 wards, and joined to five marginal plates; the second and third are pentagonal, 

 with a short but acute point, which is received between two adjoining vertebral 

 plates; the fourth is quadrilateral. The marginal plates are twenty-five in number; 

 the nuchal or intermediate plate is very small, almost hnear; the first is pentagonal, 

 with its shortest border turned upwards and outwards; the remaining plates 

 are quadrilateral, except the ninth, which is pentagonal, with its shortest border 

 directed upward and forward. 



The sternum is large, oval, entire anteriorly, emarginate posteriorly, and covered 

 with twenty-four plates, generally marked with concentric striae. The gular plates 

 are triangular, with their bases directed forward and their apices backward; the 

 brachial are also triangular, with their apices slightly truncated and turned imvard; 

 the thoracic and abdominal plates are quadrilateral, the former having their pos- 

 terior and external angles elongated; the femoral are triangular, with their bases 

 rounded, their apices truncate and directed inward; the caudal are rhomboidal. 

 The supplementary plates are very minute; the axillary are of a lozenge shape; 

 the inguinal are quadrilateral. 



The head is short, smooth, and rather pointed; the upper jaw is emarginate in 

 front; the inferior is furnished with a tooth. The eyes are large; the pupil black, 

 the iris reddish-gray, sometimes surrounded by a circle of brighter red. 



The anterior extremities are short, covered with large scales in front, and 

 smaller scales, together with granulations, behind; the fingers are five, slightly 

 webbed, and sustaining five short, strong, curved nails. The posterior extremities 

 are rounded above, but flattened at the tarsus, granulated and scaly on their upper 



