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 by 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 



