1887.] 



Ceratoclielys sthenurus. 



237 



Sectional views of a scute of the tail-armour of Ceratoclielys (fig. 5), and of one 

 of the crest plates of Gypochelys, both of the natural size. 



principle, is similar to that of Ceratoclielys, but the osseous elements 

 are relatively atrophied. There is exactly the same relation between 

 the armour of species of living Crocodiles and Alligators, on the one 

 hand, and those of Jacare and Caiman and the extinct Teleosauria, on 

 the other. In the former, the epidermal scales remain well developed 

 on the ventral side of the body, while the corresponding osseous scutes, 

 fully developed in Jacare, Caiman, and Teleosauria, have vanished. 

 • Among the detached fragments to which I have referred, there are 

 remains of ribs, with their costal plates ; marginal and other plates of 

 the carapace ; parts of the plastron ; part of a scapula ; sundry limb 

 bones; and several of the cranial processes called " horn-cores." They 

 all agree, so far as they can be compared, with the determination 

 already arrived at ; which, to sum it up in a few words, is that the 

 remains of crania and caudal sheaths from Australia, hither("0 referred 

 to Saurian reptiles, under the names of Megalania and Meiolania, 

 •appertain to a hitherto unknown species of Chelonian, Ceratoclielys 

 sthenurus, closely allied to the living Chelydra, Gypochelys, and Platy- 

 sternum. 



The evidence of this fact offered in the present note appears to me 

 to be conclusive, but it may be desirable hereafter to figure the parts 

 mentioned and to describe them at length. 



The interest which attaches to the discovery of this singular 

 Chelonian arises partly from the fact, that the group of Chelonia to 

 which it belongs is wholly unrepresented in the fauna of Australia, as 

 at present known. Platy sternum is usually said to be found in China. 

 Dr. Giinther, however, informs me that Upper Burmah is its proper 



