OCR Text |
Show 1870.] DR. J. E. GRAY ON THE GENUS BARTLETTIA. 721 shields bluntly keeled, the keel most elevated on the suture between these two shields. The sternum paler ; the limbs, in spirit, pale yellowish white. Hab. Lakes of the Upper Amazons (Edward Bartlett): called " Pitipii." Fig. 2. Skull of Bartlettia pitipii. There are four specimens in the British Museum, the largest being 13 inches by 11 inches, and one has been prepared as a skeleton. The shell is very like that of Podocnemis expansa ; but the largest specimen we have of the latter is 31 inches long by 23 inches. I have named this genus after Mr. Bartlett, the Superintendent of the Gardens of the Zoological Society, who has published several excellent papers on the manners, and habits, and growth of the animals under his care. It is only to be regretted that he has not printed more of his notes ; for observations on these subjects from a person who has the power of accurately observing and duly estimating the importance of the facts observed, as M r . Bartlett has shown that he possesses, are most valuable for science; such observations can only be made by one who has the animals constantly under his supervision, while the separation of the species, and the systematic zoological characters, are able to be best eliminated iu extensive collections in museums. |