1863. ] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 83 
In J, A. S. XXII, 640, I described a land Tortoise, by the name 
Testudo megalopus, which I now consider to be merely an enormous 
specimen of T. stpLLatA, Schweigger ; the species inhabiting penin- 
sular India and Ceylon.* In XXIII, 301, it was recorded that the 
Rev. Dr. Mason recognised the supposed megalopus as the species 
with which he was most familiar in Burma; but there is a nearly 
similar land Tortoise, which would appear to be very common in 
Lower Pegu, and which I cannot doubt is the species referred to by 
Dr. Mason. I name it— 
TESTUDO PLATYNOTUS, nobis, 2. s. Very similar to T. STELLATA 3 
but averaging a larger size, and conspicuously distinguished by being 
quite flat upon the back ; the plates not rising in the centre, and the 
bosses presenting the appearance of having been ground flat by attri- 
tion in all the specimens observed. The radiating marks are also 
broader and less numerous, in general numbering six only on each 
vertebral plate, three on each side of the centre, as compared with 
T. steLnata and T. Gkomurrica (from S. Africa), the carapace is 
conspicuously broader but not so high ; and the species is much more 
obviously distinct from the two latter, than these are from each 
other.f Length of largest specimen 11 by 7} in.. and height of 
carapace 4¢ in. I have not seen the plastron. The carapaces are 
used abundantly in the Rangoon bazar for baling out oil from 
earthen vessels. In each oil dealer’s shop there are three or fowr of 
them in constant use ; but the entire animal is difficult to be obtain- 
ed, as the Burmans are so fond of eating them. I was promised 
specimens of the animal, as a common inhabitant of the province ; 
but did not succeed in procuring one. Three good illustrative cara- 
paces were, however, obtained, showing about the extent of variation ; 
and I had to pay a tolerable price for them.f 
* Homopus Burnesii, nobis, J. A. S. XXII, 642,—Trstupo HorsFintpi Gray, 
Catalogue of Shield Reptiles, (1855) p. 7 and pl. I, Hab. Afghanistan (Nipal ? 
PR. Z. 8. 1861, p. 219). 
+ In two or three 8. African specimens of T. @zomETRIca (J. A. 8. XIX, 88) 
the usual small nuchal plateis wanting. ‘This appears never to exist in T. steq- 
LATA and I, PLATYNOTUS. 
{ It will be convenient here to enumerate the Yestudinata of the Burmese 
provinces, so far as hitherto ascertained. 
1. Tesrupo Puayril, nobis, J. 4d. 8. XVIT, 560, XXII, 639. Hab. Avakan ; 
Tenasserim provinces. 
2. . nnon@ava, nobis, J. A. S. XXII, 639, XXIV, 712, XXV, 448; Gray, 
Ann. Mag. N. H. X1X, (1857) p. 242. Brom Arakan to Mergui. This species 
has bred in my garden, and the young do uot, possess the lengthened form of the 
M 2 
