CHAPTER XXIX 



REPTILES: CROCODILES, ALLIGATORS, TURTLES, 

 TERRAPINS, TORTOISES, LIZARDS, SNAKES 



However, the Reptilia take up a very central position in the evolution 

 of the main classes of the Vertebrata. On the one hand, there is not the 

 slightest doubt that they are evolved from some branch of the Stegocephali, 

 whilst on the other hand the reptiles, probably through some branch of 

 the Theromorpha, have given rise to the mammals ; some other reptilian 

 branch, at present unknown, has blossomed out into the birds. HANS 

 GADOW, "Cambridge Natural History," Vol. VIII, pp. 277-278 



In the absence of birds, what, then, holds the devastating hosts of 

 insects in check, for insects abound in all warm countries where vegeta- 

 tion is luxuriant ? This, in my opinion, is the lizard brigade, those 

 spry and cheerful little fellows in brown "homespun," of which La- 

 certa muralis is the commonest kind, which are seen streaking it over walls 

 and along the ground, in town and country everywhere. F. H. HER- 

 RICK, ff Italian Bird Life as it impresses an American To-day," Bird Lore, 

 Vol. VIII, p. 196 



Why may not a good snake merit the same protection 

 as a good bird ? The reason is that we have not taken the 

 pains to know the good from the bad, and our prejudice 

 and fear, the children of ignorance, have dominated the field. 

 As venomous snakes have been almost exterminated from 

 inhabited parts of the country, we are coming to be able to 

 appreciate the beauty and acknowledge the good there may 

 be even in a snake. In general a reptile is a good citizen 

 if it does good work in the world, if it feeds upon injurious 

 insects or upon rats and mice or other harmful animals, and 

 if it is not venomous. In addition to this larger aspect, a 

 number of reptiles supply valuable products alligator and 



321 



