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 Jaterai 
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 
