TESTUDO ABINGDONII. 
85 
is much larger, as broad as long, and the two trochanters {a and b) are widely separated 
from each other by a smooth groove. 
The bones of the lower leg and carpus do not show any noteworthy peculiarity. As in 
T. elephantopus, the astragalus and calcaneum are coalesced ; but, owing to the less- 
advanced age, the line of separation is still visible. 
T. elepTiantopus, T. ephippium, 
790 millims. long. r40 millims, long, 
millim. millim. 
Length of the femur 169 186 
Least circumference of the femur 80 90 
Longest diameter of head of femur 55 43 
Width of the condyles 66 67 
Length of the tibia 136 150 
Least circumference of the tibia 60 72 
Length of the fibula 123 138 
Least circumference of the fibula 45 45 
6. TeSTUDO ABINGDONII. 
As mentioned above (pp. 5, 6), our knowledge of the existence of these animals in 
Abingdon was derived from two short statements by Captains James Colnett* (1798) 
and Basil HALLf (1822). Since the time of these voyagers down to the present date 
no further information has been received ; and no specimen seems ever to have been 
brought to Europe before Commander Cookson's visit to the island. He succeeded in 
bringing home the following specimens J, all of which are adult males : — 
1. Carapace, 38 inches long, with skull and skin of neck, limbs, &c. Weight 201 lb. 
2. Stuffed specimen with skull ; carapace 34 inches. Weight 131 lb. 
3. Stuffed specimen with skull ; carapace 38^ inches. 
These three examples are entirely identical with regard to the form of the carapace, 
as well as to the structure of the skull and the other parts which have been preserved. 
They resemble externally T. ephippium ; but the carapace is of extraordinary thinness 
and lightness, with the surface deeply pitted and grooved from the deficiency of osseous 
substance, which is quite in accordance with the slenderness of the cervical vertebrae. 
For this reason these Tortoises must be much more liable to injury from blows, falls, 
and other rough treatment; and no doubt Commander Cookson (P. Z. S. 1876, p. 523) 
is quite right in supposing that it is owing to this cause that he could not keep them 
alive on board. The skull, however, does not participate in this general atrophied 
condition of the skeleton, but is as stout and compact as in the other species. 
Commander Cookson has already pointed out some of the most striking distinctive 
* • Voyage to the South Atlantic ' (Loudon, 1798), p. 152. 
t ' Extracts from a Journal ' (Edinburgh, 1824), 2nd edit. ii. p. 140. 
X The particulars of their capture are related by Commander Cookson in Proc. Zool. Soc. 1876, p. 520. 
