296 THE GALAPAGOS TORTOISES. 
matter up with Dr. Traquair who replied ‘‘I have to say that I have had the 
records of the old College Museum searched for information as to the specimen 
of Testudo ephippium figured and described by Dr. Giinther, and the only 
entry which we can find which can possibly have any reference to that specimen 
is one in the year 1822-23 of a ‘Large Turtle from South Sea — Captain Basil 
Hall.’”’ From this Baur reached a most logical conclusion that the type of T. 
ephippium, 1875, and that of 7. abingdonii, 1877, were both from Abingdon 
island. By comparisons of other specimens with the descriptions and figures 
he decided that they belonged to a single species. Revision of the matter tends 
to confirm this, adding both names to the synonymy of 7’. elephantopus Harlan, 
1827, and including as synonyms of the same species 7. becki, T. hoodensis, 
and JT. phantastica. The types of T. elephantopus, T. ephippwum, T. becki 
and T. hoodensis represent young to medium ages; 7’. abingdonii and T. phan- 
tastica the old and very old. 
