2S4f AMPHIBIA. 



SUB-CLASS 11. AMPHIBIA. 



{Nahed Reptiles.) 



So important are the differences between the 

 animals we have been considering, and those at 

 which we are now arrived, that some zoologists of 

 the greatest eminence consider them as forming 

 two distinct Classes, or groups equal in rank to 

 the Mammalia, Birds, and Fishes ; though others 

 of high reputation prefer to give to the latter no 

 higher rank than that of an Order of the Class 

 Reptilia, thus making this group only equal in 

 value to the Testiidinata, or Sauria respectively. 

 It is principally for the convenience of describing 

 both in a single volume, that we assign to the 

 Amphibia an intermediate place ; making them a 

 group of equal rank to the rest of the Rep- 

 tilia put together, but not one of the primary 

 divisions of the Vertebrata. 



The Amphibia^ though widely distributed, are 

 not very numerous, nor do any of them attain a 

 large size. Destitute for the most part of the 

 attractions of form and colouring, they are not 

 generally considered interesting, except to the 

 philosophical observer of the works of God ; but 

 he, however, perceives in them abundant evi- 

 dences of creative wisdom. 



The most obvious character of these animals 

 is that of their integuments. The skin is naked, 

 not being defended by plates or scales, or any 



