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CLASS REPTILIA. THE REPTILES. 



A Reptile may be defined as a cold-blooded Vertebrate, breathing 

 air all its life, never having gills, never using the oxygen iu water, 

 with a three-chambered heart, one condyle or lump on the base 

 of the skull, and body covered with scales or plates. Strictly speak- 

 ing they are not cold-blooded but are of the temperature of the 

 surrounding air or water or objects on which they are found. Ex 

 periments in our oifice, with thermometers inserted in the throats 

 of the reptiles, have shown that the temperature of the animals 

 does not vary much from that of their surroundings. 



There are three Orders of Reptiles represented in the State of 

 Pennsylvania, which may be distingaiglied by the following Analytic 

 Key : 



A. Legs not developed. Order I. Ophidia. The Serpents. 



AA. Four legs developed. 



B. Body elongate, covered with small scales, teeth present. 



Order II. Lacertilia. The Lizards. 

 BB. Body shorter, broad, enclosed in a shell; no teeth. Order 

 III. Chelonia. The Turtles. 



(N. B. The Lizards and Turtles of Pennsylvania will be discussed 

 in a future Bulletin. Many more specimens are desired, H. A. S.) 



ORDER I. OPHIDIA. THE SERPENTS. 



Serpents are animals which in their structure show by degra- 

 dation, a highly specialized type or condition, and j'et they are per- 

 fectly^ adapted to the apparently lowly life they lead. 



Ignorance, mythology and superstition have combined to surround 

 them with an atmosphere of dread. It is not only superstition 

 but also ignorance and unnecessary fear which have rendered it 

 impossible for many persons to study them carefully. As a con- 

 sequence there are no other group of animals in this State concern- 

 ing which tliere is so much fear and ignorance, and toward which 

 there is so much cruelty almost uniformly shown in a relentless and 

 unjust warfare. 



Among the myths, fallacies or folk lore of serpents current in 

 some parts of this State are the following: 

 L Snakes sting with their tongues. 



2. Snakes charm birds and people. 



3. The green serpents are venomous. 



