Diversity in the Scutes of Chelonia. 



31 



neural series (Figs. 53 and 54).^ (See also W. P. Hay, '05, 



^These specimeus are of peculiar interest on account of tlie precise median 

 longitudinal division of neural scutes (partial or complete) — a rare abnor- 

 mality, though common, apparently, in the specimens from this particular 

 region. 



Nine Specimens of Malaclemmys littoralis Hay. 



It appears that only a few of these scutes (possibly only N2 of 259, Fig. 53) 

 were split at birth; some others (as N2 and N3 of 258) were divided only in 

 the posterior portion of the scute (of course, the areola of the older stage 

 represents the entire scute of the newborn turtle) ; while in others the divi- 

 sion, anteriorly and posteriorly, appeared at various subsequent stages. In 



