FISHES. 305 



Jaws destitute of teeth. Body warty. 



70. BUFO. Toad. Tongue short and thick. 



The common toad (which the ignorant and the preju- 

 diced persecute, though harmless), is the type of the genus, 

 Eggs deposited in chains. 



71. PIPA. Mouth destitute of tongue. 



The Rana Pipa is the type of this genus. The toes on 

 the fore-feet are divided into lobes at the extremity. The 

 eggs are fecundated externally, when they are collected by 

 the male and spread over the back of the female, to which 

 they adhere. The skin of the latter, by degrees, forms a cell 

 round each egg, in which it remains until hatched ; and 

 even the young do not quit the cells, until they pass from 

 the tadpole state. The analogy of this arrangement of the 

 reproductive system, to the condition of the marsupial qua- 

 drupeds, is very remarkable. 



Destitute of feet. 



72. CECILIA. Eyes obscure. The absence of scales, 

 the cup-shaped vertebrae, the shortness of the ribs, the 

 absence of the os quadratum, and the simplicity of the 

 heart, intimate, that this genus should not, as heretofore, 

 be included among the Serpents. Several species have been 

 determined. 



FISHES. 



Destitute of a systemic heart. 



As fishes are destined to reside constantly in the water, 

 their whole organization is suited to a residence in that ele- 

 ment, and exhibits, in the greatest perfection, those com- 

 binations which are suitable to aquatic animals. 



VOL. If. U 



