1853.] Notices and Descriptions of various Reptiles. 641 



a much greater size, with proportionally much larger feet and claws. 

 The colours duller and therefore less strongly contrasting, and the 

 lines radiating from each boss of the carapax more numerous. 

 Fore-feet with two large claw-like scales of equal size behind the 

 palm, and no others approaching them in size. Claws of hind-feet 

 fully twice as large as in adult stellata. Length of carapax, 

 measured in a straight line, 12 in., by 7| in. in diameter-breadth. 



Hab. ? 



There are several living specimens about Calcutta, of the great 

 Seychelle Tortoise, miscalled T. indica by Gmelin, and under which 

 Mr. Gray unites no fewer than seven of the supposed species admitted 

 by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron. According to Dr. Schlegel, " The 

 Indian Tortoise [so-called], probably indigenous to Madagascar and 

 the neighbouring isles, has been acclimated in the Grallapagos 

 Isles, in California, and on several other points on the western coast 

 of South America:" but we have been assured, on good authority, 

 that numerous specimens kept in gardens in the Mauritius, have all 

 been brought from the Seychelle Islands in the first instance, that 

 they are still commonly brought from those islands to the Mauritius, 

 and thence we believe the few in India have been imported. It is 

 most assuredly not an Indian reptile, nor have we heard of its ever 

 propagating in this country.* 



* In the Mauritius I am informed that it is eaten. The largest I have seen is 

 in my own possession, alive, and measures 4 ft. 4 in. in length over the curve of 

 the carapax, or 3 ft. 5 in. in a straight line; transversely 4 ft. 2 in. over the high 

 arch of the carapax, or in a diameter line 2 ft. 2 in. : height, when not raised upon 

 the legs, i. e. height of shell, 20£ in. ; when walking, the shell is lifted fully 6 in. 

 from the ground, if not more: circumference of hind-foot 17£ in. A scientific 

 friend, recently from Jamaica, assures me, that this great Seychelle species is quite 

 distinct from the great Gallapagos Tortoise, which has bred and multiplied in 

 Jamaica and other W. India islands. Curious, that these gigantic land Tortoises 

 (diminutive, however, in comparison with the extinct Indian Colossicheilis,) should 

 thus be indigenous to small oceanic groups of islands, in each case remarkable for 

 the peculiarities of both their fauna and Jiora. We are reminded of the great wingless 

 birds (Dodos and Solitaires) of the Mauritius. Bourbon, and Rodrigues ; those also 

 of N. Zealand and of Madagascar; the Megapodius of the Nicobars, audits 

 congeners of other islands ; the singular and quite recently extinct great Parrot of 

 Philip Islet near Norfolk island, with its sole congener in N. Zealand ; the Owl-like 



