GENERAL rilAilACTERS OF REPTILES. 



the carapace, evidently represent the sternal portions of these 



t-r. cervical v 

 . : flic cara|i:!< < 



. '.'..} i : ;., fi;i:i 



i!is; ,\i. strriial ribs or marginal ,piec< 

 ooniooid lioiic; I,, pelvis; /. fcimu 



bones ; vJiich, in M;mnnali:i, remain in a eartilnf>inons state, l>nt 

 '.'.-liicli aiii('H'_ r -t IVii-.ls ;ir<' completely ossified.* In sonic Tortoises, 

 <-\-i n. tliey rcinnin cartilaginous ; aii'l in almost all these animals 

 '-veral of them ar<; sujiported at their ed^es npon the borders 

 of the Plastron. 



\(',~>. 'I'lic )il<ixtr<>-ii is formed by the sternum, which presents 

 an extraordinary development, and is extended from the base of 

 the neck ID th' commencement of tin- tail, (Fi^. 317). The 



* Thi> \\<-\\- \* :iKo r _ r iv( n up, aiul the marginal plates arc; now considcrc'd 1c 

 bi \<)n<j> to th< <! rmal -i.< K-tou. 



