358 REPTILES. 



former by its dorsal crests, which are continuous or united instead of 

 being distinct. 



The Hag.lislies {Myxinef have the mouth amied' above by a 

 single fang-like tootli, while the tongue is furnished on each side 

 with two horny plates deeply serrated, so that at first sight they 

 might be supposed to be lateral jaws, like those of articulated 



Fig. 293.— mvxixe. 



animals. In other respects, the organization of the Hag-fish resembles 

 that of Lampreys. Their body is cylindrical, and furnished posteriorly 

 with a crest that surrounds the tail ; their mouth is circular, sur- 

 rounded by eight cirri, and its upper margin is pierced by a spiracle. 

 They have no vestiges of eyes, and then* body is lubricated with a 

 great quantity of mucus. Thus provided, the Myxine, when it 

 attacks its prey, uses its mouth like a cupping-glass — plunging its 

 fang into the flesh tif its victim, and thus securing a firm hold, the 

 lingual saws tear their w-ay into its very vitals. 



The AmmocaeteSji tlie lowest of tlie Myxines, have a completely 

 soft and membranous skeleton. TJiey keep in the mud of small 

 streams, and exhibit many of the habits of worms, which they 



also resemble in their shape. 



CHAPTEE XXIII. 

 Reptiles.J 



The word Reptile simply means that the animals so 

 designated creep or crawl upon the ground ; and, in a 

 general sense, is sufficiently applicable to the class 

 that next offers itself to our contemplation. In 

 some, their unwieldy body, scarcely supported by 

 their short and stunted limbs, presents an uncouth and 

 hideous appearance ; whilst others, furnished with no 

 limbs at all, progress with serpentine movement along 

 the surface of the ground. These animals have ever 

 been looked upon by mankind with involuntary ab- 



* nv^7vos, myxinos, slime-fish. 



t ^jxjxos, ammos, sand ; x«'t'7» chaite, horse-hair. 



X Kepto, to creep or craiol. 



