462 .CHELONIA. 



The species of this group are of small or moderate size, with a few 

 exceptions, such as the " Galapagos Turtle" amongst the terrestrial 

 tribe, and the " Soft-shelled Turtle" amongst the fluviatile. Some of 

 them are esculent, hence useful to man ; their eggs are likewise es- 

 teemed, and sought after for the table. 



Syn. — Testudinata, Klein, Quadr. disp. 1751. — 0pp. Reptil. Prodr. 1811, 4, 8. — 

 Merr. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 17.— Fitz. Neue Class. Kept. 1826, 5.— Bell, Zool. 

 Journ. Ill, 1828, 419 & 513.— Bonap. Sagg. Distr. Anim. vertebr. 1831, 70.— Tsoh. 

 Faun. Peruan. Herp. 1845, 21.— Leg. in Proc. Acad. nat. Sci. Philad. VII, 1854. 



Testudines, Wagl. Naturl. Syst. Amph. 1830, 133. 



Ami/dae, 0pp. Reptil. Prodr. 1811,4,6, & 9. — Agass. Contr. Nat. Hist. U. S. Amer, 

 I, 1857, 249 & 310. 



Digitata, Merr. Tent. Syst. Amph. 1820, 20.— Bell, Zool. Journ. Ill, 1828, 513. 



Steganopoda, Wagl. Naturl. Syst. Amph. 1830, 133.— Fitz. Syst. Kept, i, 1843, 29. 



Tylo;poda, Wagl. Naturl. Syst. Amph. 1830, 138.— Fitz. Syst. Kept, i, 1843, 29. 



Observ. — The name of Testudinata is used by the authors quoted 

 above to designate the entire group of Chelonians. None, that we are 

 aware, have restricted it exclusively to the fresh-water and land spe- 

 cies, as here proposed, although the latter have occasionally appeared 

 first on their list. 



Fam. HYDRASPIDES. 



In the " Day-book" of the Expedition, we read, under the heading 

 of Southeast Australia, the following brief remark regarding a species 

 of this family, the specimens of which appear to have been lost, since 

 none were found in the collection, as it came into our hands. 



" Platemys macquaria, small, the neck not retractile but flexed to 

 one side, and not of unusual length. Disposition inoffensive. Kept 

 in water at Mr. McLeay's." 



Now, Platemys macquaria, DuM. & Bibr. Erp^t. g6n. II, 1835, 438, 

 is made the type of the genus Clielymys in the " Catal. of Tort. 

 Crocod. & Amphisb. in the Collect, of the Brit. Mus. 1844, 42," 

 where the other synonyms may be found. Consult likewise the 

 " Catalogue of Shield. Reptiles, in the collection of the British 

 Museum. Part 1. Testudinata. 1855, 57." 



