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25.

It is obvious that no inference can be drawn in regard to the interrelations of the various inscriptions which have been so artificially pieced together as each fragment may be the part of an independent plate. But by examining the two reconstructed plastrons, certain characteristics features become immediately impressive. 1.The unit of the inscribed record as indicated by the arrowhead is very brief. 2.The order of arrangement of these various records vary according to the parts of the plastron on which it is inscribed. 3.Every corresponding part of the plastron shows the same order of arrangement. The third feature has been confirmed by every inscribed fragment of plastron, whose position can be identified. The second observation can be elaborated with the following details:

a. All records are arranged strictly symmetrically.

b. In the central part, all inscriptions start with the median suture and spread laterally.

c. The horizontal sections are usually divided by the suture.

d. The hyo- and hypo- plastrons are each divided into sub-sections.

e. On the posterior section of the hyo-plastron and the anterior section of the hypo-plastron, the inscriptions are continually arranged in a lateral order; while on the marginal portion of the epi-plastron, the anterior section of the hyo-, the posterior of hypo- and the xiphi plastrons, the border inscriptions were begun at the margin and followed medially.

These principles seem to work quite consistently, and in certain respect can be explained on a material basis. The central portion of a plastron is always the best suited for divination purpose and the first drilling and scorching probably started in the