Classification 



Order 3. Ophidia — Snakes. 



Order 4. Chelonia — The partly aquatic Turtles, 

 and the terrestrial Tortoises. 



Order 5. Crocodilia — Alligators and Crocodiles. 



Of these five Orders two are represented in the 

 British fauna — the Lacertillia and Ophidia. The 

 Lacertillia of the world are divided into about twenty 

 families, of which only two are represented in Britain — 

 Family Anguidae by Anguis fragi/is, the Slow- Worm ; 

 and Family Lacertidae, by our four Lizards, Lacerta 

 vivipera y L. agi/is y L. viridis, and L. muralis. The 

 world's Ophidia are divided into numerous families, 

 of which two have British species. The Adder belongs 

 to the Family Viperidae ; the Ringed and Smooth 

 Snakes are of the Family Colubridae. 



The Reptiles of the world number upwards of 4,000 

 species, and in proportion thereto our eight representa- 

 tives are very inconspicuous. While comparatively few 

 Reptiles are harmful to man, persons who are not 

 naturalists usually regard all as pests ; such, perhaps, 

 may find consolation in the fewness of British Reptiles, 

 and regard it as some compensation to those who endure 

 the changeful meteorological conditions of Great 

 Britain. 



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