( 24 ) 



Inhabits Bengal, Indus river, &c. This specie is thoroughly 

 herbivorous, although Giinther infers the reverse, Gray correctly 

 remarking (Sup., Cat. S. R., p. 58.) "The tortoises and turtles 

 which have the broadest and most complicated chewing surfaces 

 of the jaw are herbivorous or algivorous." 



In his Appendix to the Cat. S. R, p. 18, Dr. Gray, quoting some 

 remarks of mine on this species in my Catalogue of Reptiles in 

 the As. Soc. Museum, published in 1868, sneers at me for not 

 discovering that Gachuga Oldhami Gray figured in P. Z. S. and 

 established in 1869 did not belong to it!. For further remarks on 

 this curious specimen of Dr. Gray's critical powers, see the Pro., 

 As. Soc, Bengal, March 1874. 



All the large Indian ' Batagurs,' ' haska,' ' trivittata,' ' Ihurgi,' 

 Sue, are good and wholesome food, especially served as cutlets or 

 soup. Their main food is grass or other vegetable matters, and 

 their dung is expelled in masses resembling that of a donkey, 

 only the matters are more crudely digested. The smaller 

 species are less to be commended, as where the opportunity ofiers 

 they act as scavengers, though this evil trait is possessed by 

 nearly every domestic animal in India (fowls particularly), save 

 the goat and donkey. The flesh of Morenia Berdmorei however 

 I have found excellent eating. 



B. dentata. Gray. 



B. tentoria, Gray, b and c. Cat. S. R., p. 37. 

 B. lineata, Gray. d. Cat. S. R., p. 36. 

 B. Ellioti, Gray. P. Z. S., 1862. Giinther Mon., p. 40 

 pi. 3 f , A-A.' 

 Young only known. 



Nuchal shield broader than long. Second, third, and fourth 

 vertebral shields strongly keeled and ending in an acute pro- 

 minence. The hinder margin strongly serrated. Colour above 

 uniform grey-browi». Beneath pale yellow. Head dusky brown. 

 Temple and beak yellow, with a blackish streak from the nostril 

 to the orbit, continued behind over the tympanum. 



Inhabits the Kistna river, and the Jumna, according to Ander- 

 son. P. Z. S., Feb. 21, 1871, p. 150. 



