In the general form of the skull, the so-called B. (Hardella) thurgi is very
closely approached by JB. (JMJorenia) ocellata and B. (M.) petersi, but the different
extent to which the axillary and inguinal septa of the shells of Bar della and
JMJorenia sxq developed is so great, that it appears to me that the two should have
each sub-generic rank to Batagur.
When the mandible of Hardella is compared with the mandible of B. lineata,
B. baska, B. iravadica, and B . trivittata, it will be observed that in these species it
is characterised by a well developed process, whiCh even projects above the upturned
posterior extremity of the serrated alveolar border of the upper jaw, and at a considerable
altitude above the alveolar line of the lower jaw. In B. thurgi, and in
B. ocellata and B. petersi, there is no upturning of the alveolar line of the upper
jaw, and the so-called coronoid process does not exist. The lower jaw, also, of
B. thurgi is a magnified repetition of the jaws of the two species B. ocellata and
B. petersi, and this is very well seen when the skull of an adult B. ocellata is compared
with the small male skull of B. thurgi. In such a comparison, the skulls are so
similar, that the generic identity of the two, apart from other considerations, would
be probably maintained. There is the same shaped palatine region with a corresponding
number of ridges and depressions, and similarly formed external nares,
only in Morenia the palatine foramen is more posterior and placed out of the nares
than in Bardella ; but there is also a similar mandible, flattened, denticulated continuously
and with an expanded posterior surface. The viscera also, in both the subgeneric
forms, are much alike.
In the female, there are 21 caudal vertebrae. The first has an outwardly
directed, well-marked transverse process which disappears in the second and third,
but in the fourth it is strongly developed and curved forwards, this forward curve
ft-yisting in a less degree in the two succeeding vertebrae, in which the process:is
more strongly developed, but it decreases in strength in the seventh with a backward
direction, and gradually decreases in size to the seventeenth vertebra, disappearing
on the eighteenth. The shell has the well-marked septa of Batagur baska and
B. lineata.
The tongue is small, triangular, and marked by a longitudinal furrow, about
two inches behind the laryngeal orifice; the oesophagus is covered with more, or
less longitudinal lines of rather large flattened processes of the mucous membrane,
and behind this again for about three inches, these structures become lengthened
into conical papillae 0"-21 in length, simulating, to a certain extent, the remarkable
mucous stylet-like appendages of the oesophagus of Chelonia virgata. The
remainder of the oesophagus is thrown into numerous sharp longitudinal folds
which are continuous with the folds of the stomach, which disappear at the bend
where the viscus becomes transverse, reappearing again about four inches from the
pylorus; the interspace free of folds being sacculated and with smooth walls.
The left half of the stomach literally lies in a groove of the liver, between the
ventral and dorsal lobes, the longitudinal portion being wholly hidden by the
free margin of the ventral lobe. With the exception of the slight distension
to the right of the bend of the stomach, the viscus is tubular, as in allied tortoises.
Its walls in the latter situation are thin, but in all the remaining portion to the right
they are 0"*35 thick. The small intestine preserves one calibre throughout, and
•its mucous coat is thrown into longitudinal folds, finer but of the same geüeral
character as those on the oesophagus, with three or four very fine wavy folds
between each. I t measures seven feet three inches in the largest adult, the
measurements of which I have given, and is considerably longer than in B. baska,
B. lineata, &c. • There is a distinct pyriform caecum about two inches long when
contracted, and about one inch in diameter. The large intestine is three feet
long, and it is very different from the large intestine of B. baska, B. lineata, and
B. dumucelli, in describing two sigmoid curves instead of one. The liver in*
vests, the stomaeh to a much greater extent than in either B. baska or B. Uneata.
The gall bladder, which is of considerable size, lies in a concavity on the left
side of the gland, and is transverse to the body from the dorsal to the ventral surface,
bent slightly to the right, its apex appearing through the liver substance from the
right side of the cavity in which the viscus is placed. The gall duct is eight inches
long before it reaches the intestine, and, at this distance, its presence is indicated, in
the mucous coat of the intestine, by an almost cartilaginous process of the wall, and
beyond this it runs under the mucous coat for 1"*40 and then opens by a minute
orifice, although the' tube has considerable capacity. The bile has a rather rich
dark-green colour, and the liver is much lighter-coloured than in other tortoises I
have examined.
The clitoris of this species consists of an outer rosette of four lobes in pairs, with
a terminal pointed lobe, the inner rosette being small, consisting of one pair of lobes
and an azygos terminal lobe traversed by the urinal canal, i. e., the same type as in
B. baska and B. lineata. The peritoneal canal having the same length as in these
species and apparently opening near the base of the glans.
The cloaca! bladders are large and covered internally with long villi, which,
however, do not extend on to the cloacal walls, as in B. baska. The longitudinal
folds guarding the ovario-urinary chamber are full and broad, and when drawn
asunder are seen to be connected by a transverse constriction, or short fold,
below which there is a small pit. The ureters open immediately below the orifice of
the oviducts, at the extremity of a short downward prolongation of the folded border
of this orifice. The ureter is short (1*60 inch), but of considerable calibre, and
its narrow orifice is defined by a crescentic fold on its upper margin which prevents
regurgitation of the fluid.
The oviduct is capacious, and, in the individual before me, the ovary was
18 inches long, and had numerous ova ; the contents of the larger ova were a bright
yellow grumous substance. The oviduct measured 3 feet 4 inches. The first foot
from the cloacal opening had its inner surface of a decided pinkish hue, and was
thrown into numerous transverse, but interrupted fine folds, while all the remaining
portion of the tube was of a pale greyish, almost faint bluish-white tint. The
peritoneal attachments of the tube were well defined internally and gave rise to it§