CARETTA SQUAMOSA. 445 



are provided with an equally stout, depressed, and tapering claw. The 

 first, second, and third toes are closely approximated ; the fourth and 

 fifth diverge, the interdigital space being covered above and below 

 with much smaller plates. The antero-posterior region of the tarsus 

 and sole exhibiting a naked skin, whilst a rather large, subpentagonal 

 plate may be observed at the posterior margin of the tarsus. 



The carapax, which is two feet long, measures likewise two feet 

 across its middle region. In shape it is cordiform, of rather broad 

 appearance, as the measurements just alluded to would lead us to ex- 

 pect. The back is subconvex, somewhat ridged posteriorly. The 

 marginal shields are twenty-five in number : twelve pairs and an odd 

 anterior one. The six anterior pairs are rather narrow, whilst the six 

 posterior pairs are broader, increasing in width backwards. The 

 periphery is but moderately serrated from the seventh pair of mar- 

 ginal shields. The vertebral shields are broader than long, the ante- 

 rior one is the smallest, the three middle are somewhat larger and 

 subequal with the fifth or posterior one, which is differently shaped, 

 less of a rhomboid figure than the three middle ones. The posterior 

 pair of lateral or costal shields is much smaller than the other pairs. 



The eyelid is light blue, and the cornea black. The neck and 

 shoulders are bluish, with pink reflections. The carapax is yellowish 

 and brownish-olive, maculated with black. The plates of the head 

 and flippers exhibit a jet-black spot upon their middle, whilst their 

 periphery is yellow or brown. 



Log. — Sooloo Seas and Indian Ocean. 



Plate XXX, fig. 1, represents a profile of Caretta squamosa, from the 

 Sooloo Seas, considerably reduced in size. 



Fig. 2, an outline of its carapax, viewed from above. 



Fig. 3, the head, seen from above ; 



Fig. 4, a side view of the same. 



Figs. 5 & 6, represent outlines of the head of another specimen whose 

 labelling, as to locality, was lost. 



Fig. 7, is an outline of a carapax, the label of which has likewise 



been lost. 



112 



