[Plates V. & VI.]
The Maltese fossil remains described in this memoir were collected by Admiral Spratt, C.B., and myself in various ossiferous deposits in the island. A few of the bones have been referred to in a note I communicated to the Geological Society in 1866[1]. Having now, however, for the first time had an opportunity of comparing the reptilian remains from the Zebbug Cavern with my own gatherings (in consequence of the collection made by Admiral Spratt having been lately presented to the British Museum), I find the combined assemblage of Chelonian remains display so many features of interest that I have no hesitation in laying the details before the Society.
The singular characters of the associated Proboseidian, Rodentian, and Avian relics have been already described[2]; so that, with the exception of the Hippopotami, this contribution may be said to complete the palæontographical portion of the explorations up to the termination of my researches in 1865.
The following specimens are contained in the Museum of the Society and in the British Museum.
I am indebted to T. C. Archer, Esq., Director of the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, for his kindness in lending me the typical skeleton of Testudo ephippium of Günther, to compare with the Maltese remains; and my best thanks are also due to Dr. Günther, F.R.S., for his assistance in the determination of a few of the specimens.
Although Dr. Falconer recognized Chelonian bones and fragments of shields in Admiral Spratt's collection, I can find in his writings no description whatever of their characters further than a simple reference to "two Chelonian forms," one of which, he says, is "of small size"[3].
Shield.
Fragments of the dermal ossifications of dorsal and ventral shields are plentiful in the collection from Zebbug. They embrace pieces of costal and marginal plates of Chelonians of various dimensions, from about the size of the Testudo græca up to individuals which
