ANATOMY OF THE TURTLE. 



507 



largest. Underneath the epidermal plates are nine bony 

 pieces. The dorsal carapace is composed of thirty-eight 

 plates, twenty-five marginal, of which the most anterior lies 

 in the middle line ; there are five median plates and a lateral 

 row of four plates on each side. 



To dissect a turtle, saw through the lateral pieces of the 



Fig. 446. Anatomy of the Turtle, Chrysemys picta. Drawn t>y C. S. Minot. 



shell which unite the plastron and carapace, then remove the 

 ventral piece, carefully freeing it from the organs beneath. 



Fig. 446 represents a female, with the intestines and di- 

 gestive glands partially freed and turned aside, while the 

 shoulder-blade, oviduct, and ovary of the left side and the 



