approach to that group, in the increased extent of the sternum, in the union
and consolidation of the ribs throughout their whole length, and in the marginal
bones. Besides these obvious affinities in the osseous structure, the power
which the animal possesses of retracting and concealing its posterior extremities
constitutes another marked approach to the group in question. Here,
then, it is met by the genus Chelys, in which we observe the prominent, cylindrical
and soft rostrum, the long flexile neck, the inability to enter wholly
within the shell, and other characters which in a higher degree characterize
the Trionychidce.
Of this species I have received several specimens from India, all of which
had been long preserved in spirits; and it is probable that the colour of
the specimen from which the present figures were taken was considerably
changed.
