i 39. 



FOSSIL TURTLES OF THE CHALK. 



355 



39. Fossil Turtles.— Of the Chelonian reptiles or 

 Turtles, remains of marine species are found abundantly in 

 the limestone of St. Peter's Mountain, and in the slate of 

 Glaris. In the white chalk of England relics of this kind 

 are rare ; but a few beautiful specimens of a small and 

 very peculiar Turtle have been found in the chalk of Kent.* 

 This reptile, which I have named in honour of its discoverer, 



Lign. 77.— Fossil Turtle; from the chalk. 

 (Chelonia Benstedi ; one-third the natural size.) 



Chelonia Benstedi, appears to blend the characters of the 

 Chelonians or marine turtles, with those of the Emydes 

 or freshwater forms ; and since my description of the fossil, 

 figured in Lign. 77, another specimen has been found, 

 which is of the same size, and presents similar characters to 

 the one in my possession.^ The upper part of the carapace 



* At Burham, between Chatham and Maidstone, 

 f See my notice of a fossil Turtle from the chalk, Philos. Trans 

 May, 1841 ; with two plate?. 



A A2 



