{322}[Illustration: FIG. 67.–Bony shell of _Testudo ibera_. A, Ventral; B, dorsal; C, left-side view. In B, and on the right half of A, the position of the horny shields is indicated by dotted lines. The underlying bony plates are marked by strong lines. In B the 1st neural and costal plates, the 4th neural, costal, and 6th marginal plates, and the 7th neural plate are shaded. 1, 4, 6, First, fourth, and sixth neural plate; _M_, in C, fifth left marginal plate; _Nu_, nuchal plate.] The latter is homologous with the interclavicle, the epi-plastra are homologous with the clavicles of other Reptiles, while the other pieces are genetically derived from, and are further modifications of, the so-called abdominal ribs of the Crocodilia and Prosauria, These plastral plates are never in direct contact with the shoulder-girdle or with any other parts of the internal skeleton. In the young of all tortoises, and in the adult of the Chelonidae and Trionychidae, the several plastral plates enclose large, irregularly-shaped fontanelles. These are more or less filled up in the other groups; and in the Testudinidae especially the whole plastron forms one continuous mass. The navel is situated between the hyo- and hypo-plastrals. Both these pairs are broader than the others, and are connected with the carapace by {323}means of several marginals. The connecting region is called the bridge. In several tortoises, e.g. _Emys_, the connexion with the marginals is formed by ligaments only and remains movable. In others, transverse, more or less perfect hinges are formed across the plastron. A rather imperfect joint between the hypo- and xiphi-plastrals develops with age in _Testudo ibera_. In _Cistudo_ and _Cyclemys_ a very effective hinge lies below the hyo- and hypo-plastrals, just in front of the bridge; and the anterior and posterior lobes of the plastron can be closed against the inner rim of the box, fitting tightly in _Cistudo_. In _Pyxis_ the front lobe only is movable. [Illustration: FIG. 68.–A, Diagrammatic transverse section through the shell of _Testudo_. On the right side the horny shields have been removed, on the left are shown the neural, costal, marginal, and pectoral shields. The bony dermal plates are dotted. _Cap_, Capitular portion of rib; _Sp.C_, position of spinal cord. B, Vertical section through part of the shell, magnified and diagrammatic. B, Bony layer of the cutis; L, leathery layer of the cutis; M, cells of the Malpighian layer; P, star-shaped pigment-cells; SC, stratum corneum, composing the horny shields.]