146 
Z00L0GIP4J^ JiJTtjRATUEE. 
adopted by tb^ Rutbor (tbe pelagiq specie^ not included), and, in 
conclusion^ some general remarks on the distribution of the entire 
order^ of its families^ groups^ and genera : 
The author distinguishes three kingdoms^ the first of which comprises the 
Oircummediterranean and African regions, and is distinguished by the pre- 
valence of Land-Tortoises. 
1. The CircummediteiTanean region is inhabited by 6 species : 3 TestudOf 
1 EmySf and 2 Clemmys. 
2. Tropical Africa (Madagascar and the other eastern islands included) is 
inhabited by 32 species, 14 being Land- and 10 Freshwater Tortoises, and 
8 Freshwater Turtles. The prevalence of Chelydes over Emydes, and the 
mixture of Chelydes with Trionychides are peculiar features of this region. 
As regards Madagascar, it is worthy of remark that of the 8 species known 
to inhabit this island, 7 are found in Southern and Eastern Africa, and that 
ouQ only {fyxis a^achnoides) is found in India and not on the African conti- 
nent. The African region may be divided into two subregions ; the north- 
western, where Freshwater-Tortoises, and the south-eastern, where Land- 
Tortoises are prevalent. 
The second kingdom comprises the Asiatic and North- American regions, 
and is distinguished by the prevalence of Emydes and by the presence of 
Trionychides. 
1. The Asiatic region, bordered northwards by the Himalayas and the 
Amur Hiver, and extending over the East-Indian Archipelago, is inhabited 
by 64 species ; 9 Land- and 31 Freshwater Tortoises, and 14 Freshwater 
Turtles. It may be divided into four subregions * : — 
a. The countries west of the Indus ) scarcely known. 
h. Continental British India, without the Malayan Peninsula. 
c. Southern Asia, comprising the Malayan Peninsula, Siam, the Sunda 
and Molucca Islands, and the Philippine Islands. The author admits that, 
as S. Muller has shown, this subregion may be divided into two districts, the 
western comprising the parts of the continent mentioned, Sumatra, Java, and 
Borneo, and the eastern comprising Celebes, the Moluccas, and Philippines j 
but he states that the character of the Chelonian fauna of the latter is 
thoroughly Asiatic, without any admixtm'e of Australian forms. 
d. Eastern Asia, comprising Cochinchina, China, Japan, and Formosa. 
2. The North- American region is inhabited by 44 species f : viz. 2 Land- 
and 40 Fi-esh water Tortoises, and 2 Freshwater Turtles. It may be divided 
into four subregions ; — ■ 
a. North-western part, west of the Rocky Mountains,<teouth wards to 
Upper California, 
h. North-eastern part, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic, south- 
wards to Kansas and North Carolina. 
c. South-eastern part, corresponding to Agassiz’s third district. 
* Dr. Strauch has not had an opportunity of consulting the Recorder’s 
^Rept. of Brit. India.’ 
t This comparatively large number is evidently due to the minuter exa- 
mination and minuter specific distinction which has been applied to this por- 
tion of the Chelonians, 
