86 PICTURE OF ORGANIZED NATURE. 



the Picture, the region in the 5th degree, on the 

 nether side of the snow-line, is marked as a limit be- 

 yond which they do not extend. 



2. After Frogs and Toads, Lizards are most nu- 

 merous in the direction of the snow-line. Their 

 native country, however, is beyond doubt in the 

 Torrid Zone, because in that region they attain 

 their greatest size (viz. the three species of Croco- 

 diles) : they are there more numerous, handsomer, 

 and more lively ; and in winter they do not become 

 torpid. The Green Lizard (Lacerta agilis) is sup- 

 posed to be met with all over Europe, but most 

 probably in small numbers in cold countries. Accord- 

 ing to such observations, the region in the 9th degree, 



on this side of the snow-line, has been given as the 

 limit of their spreading. 



3. After the Lizards, follow Snakes. Most of 

 them, including the Boa, and those which are poi- 

 sonous in a high degree, are natives of the Torrid 

 Zone. Yet there are some to be met with in the 

 colder part of the Temperate Zone : the Ringed 

 Snake (Coluber natrix), as well as the Blind Worm 

 (Anguisfragilis), is supposed to spread throughout 

 Europe. According to Crantz, there are no Snakes 

 in Greenland. They are less numerous in colder 

 climates than Lizards. According to such obser- 



