TESTUDO GR^ECA. 163 



with a black band along the front and sides of each plate 

 of the disk, on the surface of which are several black spots, 

 and a black space in the centre of each plate ; sometimes, 

 however, the black band is wanting ; on each plate of the 

 plastron is a large black spot on an olive ground ; the in- 

 side of the fore-feet, upper parts of the hind-feet, and 

 of the neck, the tail, and parts adjoining are grey-brown, 

 becoming lighter on the thighs and neck; the jaws are 

 black. 



The Testudo Mauritanica, which is very common in Bar- 

 bary and Algeria, is found in Europe only on the shores of 

 the Caspian, and in the valleys of the South of the Crimea. 

 Many are sent from Africa to Paris, where they are kept 

 in gardens, feeding on roots and leaves, preferring those of 

 the lettuce. 



Testudo Graeca. 

 Testudo GrcBca, Dcm. et Bib. vol. ii. p. 49 ; Buon. Faun. Ital. 



Desckeptioit. — The carapace is vaulted, oval, entire, rather 

 larger behind than before, with a neck-plate ; the caudal 

 plate is double, much inclined, and sometimes curved in 

 towards the tail, which latter is long, and ends in a nail ; 

 the plastron is not moveable behind ; the scaly tubercles 

 on the front of the fore-legs are not nearly so strong as in 

 the two preceding species, and there is no large conical 

 tubercle behind the thighs. The marginal plates of the 

 carapace have triangular spaces of a deep black, the central 

 plates are spotted in their centres with the same colour, 

 and a black band runs along three of their sides, the hinder 

 edge remaining always yellow ; the sides and central line 

 of the plastron is yellowish green, the rest black. The 

 general colour of the body is greenish ; the markings vary 

 in form and arrangement in different individuals, and also 

 with the age of the animal. 



