CHAGRIN TORTOISE. 69 



borders of this shield are semitransparent and car- 

 tilaginous, and through them may be perceived 

 the ribs of the animal, which are eight on each 

 side: the border is wider behind than on the fore 

 parts : the under or thoracic shell is extended 

 more in front and behind than the upper, being a 

 little emarginated in front, cartilaginous, transpa- 

 rent ; and consists of seven bony laminse of un- 

 equal sizes, and of a roughened or chagrined sur- 

 face : three of these divisions are placed forwards, 

 two in the middle, and two behind : the head re- 

 sembles those of fresh water tortoises, and the 

 wrinkles of the skin round the neck shew that the 

 animal can elongate that part easily : the feet and 

 tail were wanting in the specimen, and nothing 

 particular was known relative to its habits or his- 

 tory. 



From its small size we may reasonably suppose 

 it to have been a young animal. 



