CLASS THIRD. 

 REPTILES. 



Vertebrated auimals with cold red blood, the skiu either naked or protect. 

 ed by scales. 



OF REPTILES. 



For tlie functions of Frogs, &c. See vol. iv. p. 87, &c. 



For the functions of Lizard-j, &c. See vol. iv. p. 113, &c. 



For the functions of Serpents, &c. See vol. iv. p. 147, &c. 



The classilication of Reptiles adopted by Cuvier, is that of Brog^niart, who 

 derived his orders from the varieties of construction in the chief organs, 

 such as those of generation and respiration, taken in conjunction with the 

 animal functions. They are divided into four orders, namely : — 



I. Chelonians, or Tortoises. — Body covered witii a shield or plate. 



II. Saurians, or Lizards. — Body covered with scales. 



III. Ophidians, or Serpents. — Destitute of feet. 



IV. Batrachians, or Frogs. — Body covered with a naked and loose skin. 



ORDER I.— CHELONIA. 



Heart having two auricles ; body enveloped in two plates or shields, form- 

 ed of the ribs or steriiura ; and with four feet. 



Division I. — Inhabits the land. 



GmtM l.—TEfiTVBO.—Brogniarl. 



Generic Character. — Superior shell gibbous, sustained by a bony frame, 

 and adhering through the greater portion of its sides to the under shell ; feet 

 with short toes, attached together to nearly the nails, which, together with 

 the head, can be withdrawn within the shell ; anterior feet with five nails, 

 posterior feet with four nails, the whole of them conoid and thick. 



Testudo geometrica.—GeoTaetTicaX Tortoise. Plate Ixii. fig. 1. Shell black, 

 ovate ; scutellae ornamented with yellow radise, diverging from a yellow 

 disc, which is composed of thirteen or fourteen pieces ; marginal divisions 

 from 24 to 26. Twelve inches long. Inhabits Africa. 



Division II.— Fluviatile Tortoises 



Genus 2.—'EMyS.—Brogniart. 



Generic Character.— Upper shell gibbous, divided into large scutellae ; feet 



