CLASS III. IIEPTILIA: ORDEll 4. OPiilL>IA. 



385 



1. ICHTHYOSAURUS. 2. TELEOSAURUS. 8, 4, AND 5. PLESIOSAURUS. 



Tlie Teleosaurus appears to have been a gigantic land animal, resembling the gavials, but with 

 more massive jaws and a stouter form. Its remains are numerous, especially in the wealden of 

 Tilgate Forest ; it therefore existed at a period when the fishes were abundant, but the mammals 

 few in number. Its habits appear to have been more strictly marine than those of the gavials, 

 and its powers of swimming and overtaking its prey were greater. It was covered over with 

 imbricated scales, and was perhaps about fifteen feet in length. There were many species, one 

 of which had a skull four and a half feet long, and one hundred and eighty teeth ! 



ORDER 4. OPHIDIA. 



We now come to an order of reptiles which appear from the earliest ages to have excited a 

 mingled fear and reverence in mankind. In some cases the serpent has been worshiped ; in 

 others it has been the symbol of eternity ; everywhere it seems to inspire a species of horror in 

 the beholder. In Genesis it is said that "the serpent was more subtle than all the beasts of the 

 field," and therefore the Devil, in seeking to overturn the designs of the Almighty in the creation 

 of man, took upon himself its image. The Brazen Serpent set up in the wilderness by Moses, 

 being looked upon, cured the people which had been bitten by the "fiery serpents" as they 

 journeyed in the wild and rocky regions of Mount Hor; this image is also deemed an cmbK'- 

 matic foreshadowing of the Saviour. Serpent-worship appears to have existed alike among civil- 

 ized and barbarous nations ; among the ancient Egyptians it was the object of peculiar reverence, 

 and Avith the Mexicans it was the very basis of their hideous and bloody religion. Strange ideas 

 respecting this creature are even current in the proverbial language of our day : " wise as a ser- 

 pent," and "a snake in the grass," though of somewhat contradictory significations, ai'c still com- 

 mon expressions. When we come to consider these creatures, we shall not, perhaps, be surprised 

 that they have ever made a strong impression upon mankind. 



The great nursery of this reptile race is found in tropical regions. Tangled forests, impene- 

 trable jungles, morasses teeming with luxuriant vegetation, and mouldering ruins overgrown witli 



Vol. IL— 49. 



