TESTUDO SEMISERRATA.— Smith. 
Reptilia. — Plate VI. 
T. supra brunneo-nigra ; scutarum areolis et radiis ab illis divorgcntibus, subochreis ; infra flava radiis 
brunneo-nigris variegatis. Scuto nucliale triangulare ; pedibus anterioribus paulum supra ungues 
antice sc[uamis magms tuberculosis obtectis mandibula superiore uncinata. 
Longxtudo testee 5 unc. 
Colour— Shell above deep reddish or brownish black, with numerous 
ochrey or brownish yellow variegations, which are partly in the form ot 
irregular blotches and partly of radii, the breadth of which is greatest at the 
margins of the plates. On the dorsal and costal plates, the aieolte are princi- 
pally of a yellowish tinge, and from each ten or more yellow radii diverge and 
terminate by joining others of a similar description which intersect the sui- 
rounding plates. In the last-named plates one radiation generally proceeds 
from the anterior and another from the posterior edge of each, while three or four 
extend from the lateral sides, and those from the parts first mentioned, together 
with one from each of the lateral angles, generally divide into two limbs before 
they reach the margins of the plates, and by this arrangement several oblong 
black spots appear inclosed within these radii. The marginal plates are gene- 
rally marked with three radii, the hindermost in many instances bifid prior to 
its joining the costal plates. Nuchal plate broadly edged and tipt with yellow. 
Beneath, the shell is yellow variegated with brownish black radii, each of which 
proceeds from the areolae, when they exist, and increase in width as they 
approach the circumference of the plates ; their direction is either straight or 
oblique, and from the manner in which they join each other, the under-surface 
of the shell appears varied with waved, angular or arched black stripes. Upper 
and under mandibles greenish yellow. Eyes dusky black. The scales of the 
head are a pale straw yellow, those of the neck greenish brown ; the legs 
pale yellowish brown, with the large tubercular scales of the fore-legs and 
the discs of the small flat scales of all the legs dull yellow ; claws yellowish. 
Tail dull greenish brown. 
Form, &c. — Shell oblong ovate and above moderately convex ; its lateral 
outline as formed by the marginal plates is rather strongly serrated in front 
and behind, on the sides but slightly ; its dorsal outline strongly arched 
towards the nuchal and caudal plates, slightly along the middle of the back. 
The surface of the shell above the lateral margins uneven, but none of the 
plates palpably projecting, as is the case in Testudo geometrica, T. tentoria, 
&c. ; areolce smooth and slightly depressed, the other parts of the plates rough 
