96 
RECORDS OE THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 
prominent position in the Reptile Gallery. The entire skeleton 
was thus preserved, and being carefully articulated, is exhibited 
in the Osteological Gallery. It is, therefore, still available for 
study should opportunity occur. (See Plate xxii.) 
Failing the work I had proposed, it appears to be advisable to 
publish such information as I have been able to glean relative to 
the history of the specimens. In this connection I have to thank 
Dr. Sinclair, who has spared no pains, and who has himself made 
some of the observations below recorded. 
In the Hospital grounds these reptiles had almost unlimited 
freedom, and their feed of herbage was largely supplemented by 
vegetables — lettuces being much appreciated; an entire plant was 
taken from the hand, and after two or three movements of the 
jaws was swallowed. Eating seemed to be a constant occupation. 
For my benefit the tortoises were prodded about the grounds ; 
they were very disinclined to move and only did so in response to 
repeated persuasions from a stick directed at the hind limbs. I 
was much interested to notice that when touched in this way the 
tortoise would suddenly drop its shell over the leg prodded, and 
so endeavour to protect itself, and at the same time cripple the 
offender. One of the men engaged in trundling the reptile 
used his foot for the purpose, but this was considered an unwise 
proceeding, for on one occasion, 1 was told, when kicking the leg 
of the reptile an attendant had his foot badly crushed. 
When turning the smaller reptile (the female) about, two or 
three men proved to be sufficient. When the male was under 
consideration, Dr. Sinclair told off five men, and in consequence 
of the enormous weight and the struggles of the huge creature, 
they were scarcely able to turn it over. More help was required 
when it had to be placed on the weighing machine, and 
even when once there it managed, by hitching its claws into the 
standards, to force itself off’, despite all efforts to prevent it. 
Finally, the correct weight was obtained, and when the reptile 
was permitted to regain its legs I noticed that blood was issuing 
from between the shields of the carapace. 
The tortoises were propped up so as to show their under-surfaces. 
The photographs I then took are reproduced on Plate xxi., and 
exhibit several points of interest, not otherwise observable. That 
of the female (Fig. 2), propped against the Hospital wall, shows 
the enlarged scute on the fore-leg very clearly, also the depression 
in the plastron, the divided gular and the notch between the 
xiphiplastra with the angles rounded ; the short tail is also well 
illustrated, as are also the sutures of the plastron and the 
characteristically wrinkled skin. 
Owing to its weight and bulk, the male could not be retained 
vertically against the wall, and as it absolutely refused to be 
