54 Eobert E. Coker. 



tion of a natural nest. The spot chosen proved to be rather laore 

 moist than usual. During development the eggs swelled to an unusual 

 degree. As a result they were very much crowded and were mis- 

 shapen (cf. remarks above:, p. 48-49). 



Many of these abnormalities are such as we would naturally 

 attribute to the abnormal conditions of development, and the ques- 

 tion naturally suggests itself: can the conditions of development 

 be responsible for the remarkably large proportion of abnormalities 

 of scutes in this nest? 



The abnormalities take these forms chiefly : 



1. Costals symmetrical in number, asymmetrical in plan, neurals 

 asymmetrical (88, 97), or symmetrical (92). 



2. Costals asymmetrical in number and plan, neurals asymme- 

 trical (82, 90, 94). 



3. Costals asynmietrical in number (through absence of normal 

 small first costal), symmetrical in plan neurals symmetrical (80, 

 81, 87, 98, 99). Also, LC5 represented by two scutes (91). 



'No. 82 is further abnormal in that the first costal forms part of 

 the margin (Fig. 84). 



The nuchal is frequently paired or furrowed. The marginals 

 are usually 12-12. 



One specimen possesses supramarginals (ISTo. 88, Fig. 85). 



Table VII, E. The eggs were brought to me by a fisherman, 

 who stated that they were a mixed lot from two nests taken two days 

 before. They were replanted in the gTOund. The fourteen embryos 

 and new-born make a comparatively normal lot. Though more than 

 half (8) are abnormal, the variations are comparatively slight, 

 consisting chiefly of paired nuchals, supernumerary costal posteri- 

 orly, supernumerary neural posteriorly, or incomplete division of 

 ]Sr4 or 5, and slight asymmetry in the anterior region (104, 107). 

 The marginal plan 12-12 is most frequent. 



In Table VIII are presented the observations on 76 turtles from 

 an undisturbed natural nest (see p. 46, above). The young turtles 

 were found under the wire some days after hatching (88th day from 

 the beginning of incubation). Only one unhatched egg remained 

 in the nest. 



