HERPETOLOGY. 455 



already formed and advanced within the egg at the time the pa- 

 rent deposits it. This reptile, in many northern and temperate 

 regions, seems to represent the multitude of deadly snakes that 

 infest the torrid regions ; while the harmless ringed snake takes 

 the place of the huge Python of Bengal and Java. In the coun- 

 tries of the Polar circles, the snake, the lizard, the toad and the 

 frog are never seen. The absence of the snails, insects and 

 small animals upon which reptiles usually feed, excludes them 

 from those dreary regions. The larger part of them are carni- 

 vorous ; the Tortoises, however, are vegetable feeders. A few 

 feed both on small animals, as slugs, insects, &c., and on leaves 

 and fruits. 



Reptiles probably number as many as two thousand species. 

 They are either terrestrial, or aquatic, or both, and hibernate in 

 temperate regions, passing nearly the whole winter in a state of 

 lethargy. An extensive division of the Serpents have hollow 

 fangs which they can erect at pleasure, when they open their 

 mouths to bite, and these fangs have apertures, from which they 

 eject into the wounds made by them, an active and deadly poi- 

 son. 



From the earliest times the forms and habits of Reptiles have 

 attracted attention. They are found represented on the monu- 

 ments of the ancient Egyptians, and numerous allusions to them 

 are contained in the scriptures of the Old Testament. Nor 

 should it be unnoticed that among the organic remains which the 

 industry and science of inquiring minds have lately brought to 

 light, none present forms more wonderful, or proportions more 

 gigantic, than some of the Fossil Reptiles. 



REPTILES are divided into four orders, viz. : (1) CHELONIA, 

 Chelonians ; (2) SAURIA, Saurians ; (3) OPHIDIA, Ophidians ; 

 (4) AMPHIBIA, Amphibians. 



These orders pass into each other by certain gradations of 

 form, traceable in all, but most evidently so in the Saurians and 

 Ophidians, all these gradations clearly pointing to the existence of 

 one grand scheme, of which the parts respectively link together in 

 admirable harmony. 



REPTILES. 



What is the 3d branch of ZOOLOGY? Of what does it treat? To what 

 Grand Division of VERTEBRATES do they belong ? What is said of the ver- 

 tebral column ? Of their form, habitat, &c. ? Why are they called COLD- 

 BLOODED animals ? What is their condition during winter ? What is said 

 of the strength of the Tital principle in Reptiles ? How is this illustrated ? 



