4 [NTRODUCTION TO THE (LASS OF REPTILES 



the silent and immutable testimony of the rocks. This world, 

 the animals now living upon it and those lying within it, 

 entombed by Nature's hand, have been millions of years in 

 forming. If you doubt it, go into an Arizona canyon, half a 

 mile in depth, and at the bottom of a mountain-wall of rock, 

 dig out the remains of a fossil; then ask yourself this question: 

 "How long has it taken Nature to pile half a mile of solid 

 rock upon the grave of this creature, and then cut down to it 

 again? 



In the evolution of the birds of to-day, the reptiles of the 

 past have played an important part; and the study of the 

 Class Reptilia is very much worth while, if for no other reason 

 than to learn the nearness of the relationships between its 

 members and the birds. 



Remember, first of all, that the reptiles of to-day are 

 actually insignificant in comparison with those which existed 

 ages ago, the bones of which are now fast coming to light. 

 A 24-foot python or anaconda of to-day, lying beside a 00- 

 foot dinosaur, with a hind leg 10 feet high, would be like 

 a garter-snake beside a kangaroo. 



In this day of liberal thought and broad reasoning, any 

 person whose knowledge of the world of reptiles is limited 

 to the false notion that all these creatures are either "slimy" 

 or dangerous, is to be pitied. A persistence in that all-too- 

 common estimate is a distinct loss to all those who entertain 

 it. It means the shutting out, with the black curtain of 

 Ignorance, of a whole world of interesting forms and useful 

 facts, and also a lifetime of cringing fear, largely without 

 cause. 



