t e s t t x d o s e m t s e 'k e l m a
(Reptilia. _Elate6) '
TESTUDO SEMISERRATA.—S m it h .
R e p t il ia .— P l a t e VI
T. suprk brunneo-nigra; scutarum areolis et radiis ab illis divergentibus, subochreis; infra flavi radiis
brunneo-nigris variegatis. Scuto nuchale triangulare; pedibus anterioribus paulum supra ungues
antic& squamis magnis tuberculosis obtectis; mandibuld superiore uncinatd.
Longitudo testes 5 unc.
C o l o u r .—Shell above deep reddish or brownish black, with numerous
ochrey or brownish yellow variegations, which are partly in the form of
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 areolae are principally
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 surrounding
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 generally
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 areolse, 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.
F orm , &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 n uchal 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.; areolse smooth and slightly depressed, the other parts of the plates rough