TESTUDO ACTINODES. 
strong conical scales on each side. The general form of the shell is much 
less globose : the margin is not in the least degree revolute in any part; in 
geometrica it is so throughout the whole circumference: the nuchal plate, 
which is always present in the other species, is here invariably wanting: the 
posterior margin is much more deeply indented, and the caudal plate, instead 
of being incurved under the marginal outline of the shell, as in geometrica , is 
either perpendicular, or inclined backwards. The areolae, as may be con¬ 
cluded from the comparative size of the two animals, are much larger in 
actinodes , and, instead of being depressed, are either quite plane or slightly 
elevated. There is also considerable diversity in the character of the yellow 
radiations of the plates. In geometrica they are linear; in actinodes they 
become much wider towards the circumference. The ground colour of the 
sternum in the present species is a light yellow, with very distinct black 
radiations, which also widen towards the circumference, as the yellow rays do 
on the dorsal plates. In geometrica the sternum is clouded with yellow and 
light brown, and the darker radiations are only here and there observable 
towards the margin of the plates. 
In young specimens the colours are brighter, the markings more distinct, 
and the plates, instead of being much elevated, as in the adult, are almost flat. 
I have had several individuals of this species living, but have not succeeded 
in keeping them alive over the winter, notwithstanding they had fed freely 
during the warm weather. The egg is oval, and about the size of a pigeon’s. 
