82 EMYS GUTTATA. 



extent being in the transverse direction; the fourth is also hexagonal, with its 

 posterior margin shortest, and often curved to receive the anterior border of the 

 fifth vertebral plate, which is heptagonal, smaller in front and broader below. 

 The lateral plates are four in number on each side; of these the anterior is 

 irregularly triangular, with its apex truncated and turned upwards, and its basis 

 rounded, directed downwards, and joined to five marginal plates; the second and 

 third are pentagonal, with a short but acute point, which is received between two 

 adjoining vertebral plates; the fourth is quadrilateral. The marginal plates are 

 twenty-five in number; the nuchal or intermediate is very small, almost linear; 

 the first is pentagonal, with its shortest border turned upwards and outwards; the 

 remaining plates are quadrilateral, except the ninth, which is pentagonal, with its 

 shortest border directed upward and forward. 



The sternum is large, oval, entire anteriorly, emarginate posteriorly, and 

 covered with twenty-four plates, generally marked with concentric striee. The 

 gular plates are triangular, with their bases directed forward and their apices 

 backward; the brachial are also triangular, with their apices slightly truncated 

 and turned inward; the thoracic and abdominal plates are quadrilateral, the 

 former having their posterior and external angles elongated; the femoral are 

 triangular, with their bases rounded, their apices truncate and directed inward; 

 the sub-caudal are rhomboidal. The supplemental plates are very minute; the 

 axillary are lozenge-shaped; the inguinal are quadrilateral. 



The head is short, smooth, and ratlier pointed; the upper jaw is emarginate in 

 front; the inferior is furnished with a tooth. The eyes are large; the pupil black, 

 the iris reddish-gray, sometimes surrounded by a circle of brighter red. 



The anterior extremities arc short, covered with large scales in front, and 

 smaller scales, together with granulations, behind; the fingers are five, slightly 

 webbed, and sustaining five short, strong, curved nails. The posterior extremities 

 are rounded at the thigh, but flattened at the tarsus, and granulated ^nd scaly 



