446 CHELONIA. • 



t I 



3. Caretta rostrata, Grd. 



(Plate XXX, figs. 8-13.) 



Char. spec. — Carapace suhcordiformi per transversum thoracis quam 

 pelvis angustiori; (ergo a7itice rotundo, 2>ostice subconvexo; peripheria 

 modice serrata. Scutis vertehralibus trihus medianis quam reliquos 

 majorihus. Scuto oeccipitali latiori quam longiori; scutis postoccipi- 

 talibus elongatis, longioribus quam latioribus. Fusco-olivacea, nigro 

 maculata. 



Spec. Char. — Carapax subcordiform, narrower across the chest than 

 the pelvis ; back anteriorly rounded, posteriorly subconvex ; peri- 

 phery moderately serrated. Three middle vertebral shields largest. 

 Occipital plate broader than long ; postoccipitals elongated, longer 

 than broad. Olivaceous-brown, maculated with black. 



Syn.— ? 



Observ. — The heads and carapaces figured constituting all the 

 materials at our command, a complete description of this species can- 

 not well be drawn up at the present time. 



As compared to the preceding species, the one under consideration 

 may be distinguished by a proportionally longer head, and especially 

 a more elongated rostrum. The cephalic plates, the occipitals amongst 

 others, exhibit corresponding differences, which, when once alluded 'to, 

 are sufficiently prominent to enable any one discriminating between 

 the two species. The outline of the carapax affords also a few pecu- 

 harities worthy of special notice : its contraction across the pectoral 

 region, the structure of its anterior margin, the great development of 

 the vertebral shields, are of the number. 



The pattern of coloration is the same as in G. squamosa, althoucrh 

 the black maculae are more confluent, giving the entire body a much 

 darker appearance. 



The flesh of this species was tried repeatedly by the Explorino- 

 Expedition party, and was not found at all inferior to that of the true 

 Cheloniae. 



