968 The American Naturalist. [October, 
Boulenger gives as one of the generic characters of Chelys, “ js 
In the specimen before me (length of shell over curve, 43o mm. 
breadth over curve, 376 mm.) there is a very well-developed horny 
beak, not different in structure from that of other Chelonians. The 
structure of the skull also showed considerable differences with that 
figured by Boulenger. In Boulenger’s figure the plates end in a sharp 
angle behind ; this region is quite different in my specimen, and agrees 
exactly with the figure given by Cuvier (Ossem. foss.). But the 
greatest difference is to be seen in the lower face of the maxillary. In 
Boulenger’s specimen the lower alveolar face of the maxillary at the 
middle is not broader than the vomer, forming about one-sixth of the 
breadth of the palate. My specimen agrees with Cuvier’s figure; the 
alveolar surface is considerably broader than the vomer, and forms less 
than one-quarter of the breadth of the palate. The figure given by 
Hoffmann is like that of Cuvier. I do not know how the figures pre- 
sented by Wagler and Bruehl compare with that of Boulenger, having 
the works of these authors not at hand. It is harely possible that the 
figure published by Boulenger is incorrect, since all the other new fig- 
ures in the catilogue are accurate. I can only think that there are two 
different species of Chelys. The common Che/ys fimbriata, figured by 
Cuvier and Hoffman, and agreeing with my specimen, with well-de- 
veloped horny beak, and an other one figured by Boulenger as Chelys 
Jimbriata, which would represent a new species, which may be called, 
if future examination proves its distinctness, Chelys boulengerit.—G. 
Baur, Clark University, Worcester, Mass., Oct. 30th, 1890. 
Snakes in Banana Bunches.—Editors AMERICAN NATURALIST: 
Referring to the item ‘‘ Snakes in Banana Bunches,’’ in the AMERICAN 
NATURALIST for August, 1890, I wish to say that nearly two years ago 
I obtained a snake, brought to this city in a bunch of bananas. It 
being in winter the snake was still alive, though lethargic, and which 
I identified as a young Boa imperator. It is about three feet in length, 
and is now in the museum of this Society.—]. A. HENSHALL, Secre- 
tary and Director Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist., Cincinnati, September 8, 
1890. 
Nore By EDITOR. —Since our item above referred to, two cases of 
the Boa imperator having been found in banana bunches, in Phila- 
delphia, have come under my notice, It is a coincidence that since 
the banana is believed by some to have been the “ forbidden fruit" of 
the Garden of Eden, serpents sheuld be so readily concealed in its 
fruit.—E. D. Cope. 
