156 Dr. J. E. Gray on Chinese Mud-Tortoises. all the American species, even those with only one apica! spine to the elytra, by the spine (or sharp tooth) being a pro-longation (a little divergent) of the sutural angle, and not distant from it ; from the spine the apex is gradually rounded to the sides. The punctation of the elytra is scanty and in lines. The thorax is rather wider than usual in the middle, and the discoidal tubercles are very obtuse. The head is tumid behind the eyes, more distinctly so in the ^ than in the ? . The scape of the antennae is roughly punctured. There is no long pubescence on body or limbs, [To be continued.] XXII. — Notes on Chinese 3Iud-Tortoises {Trionjchidge:), with the Description of a new Species sent to the British Museum hy Mr, Swinhoe, and Obser cations on the Male Organ of this Family. By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S. &c. [Plate v.] Mr. Swinhoe has most kindly sent to the British Museum several specimens, preserved in spirits, of Mud-Tortoises from the neighbourhood of Shanghai . The collection contains : — a large specimen of the most beautiful species of Mud-Tortoise which I have yet observed from any country ; and I believe it to be new to science ; three specimens of a very plain olive Mud-Tortoise, which are peculiar for having the crown of the head and nose covered with a hard very thin skin, somewhat like the skin which covers the head of the Terrapins ; and several specimens o' different ages, but all young, of Landemania peroceUata. showing the change of colour in the young animals of this species as they increase in age. This collection is also interesting as showing the form of the male organ and the external sexual character of the males of this group of Chelonians. The specimens having been killed by being placed in spirit, the male organ has been exserted in two of the specimens. It is expanded and fan-shaped, wit! the ui-ethral grooves on the lower side forked and ending ii conical claw-like terminations. In both specimens the tail is short, tapering to a very fine point, and ending in a hard spine ; while the tails of the other specimens are all without points, soft, and rather blunt at the end The armed tail is the cha-racter that Leconte gives of the males of Kinosternon. The Reptiles have been divided into : — those which have a single male organ for intromission, as the Tortoises, the Crocodiles, &c. ; and those which have a pair of organs for the
Notes on Chinese mud-tortoises (Trionychidae), with the description of a new species sent to the British Museum by Mr. Swinhoe, and observations on the male organ of this family
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