CHAPTER II. 



Crocodiles, Dinosaurs, and Flying Dragons, — Orders Crocodilia. 

 Dinosauria, and Ornithosauria. 



The living crocodiles, among which may be included in a general sense not only 

 the reptiles to which that name more properly belongs, but likewise those 

 commonly designated alligators, caimans, and garials, are the only existing 

 representatives of three orders, which comprise among their members not only 

 the most highly organised of all Reptiles, and those which approach nearest in 

 their organisation to Birds, but likewise the largest of all terrestrial Reptiles, as, 

 indeed, of any land animals. Although these three orders possess many character- 

 istics in common, it will be more convenient to describe the leading features of 

 each separately, in the course of which their common attributes will be pointed out. 



SKELETON AND ABDOMINAL RIBS OP CROCODILE. 



Characteristics Sluggish in disposition, hideous in form, and huge in size, 



of crocodiles, crocodiles alone among existing Reptiles serve in some measure to 

 recall the giant Saurians with which the earth was peopled during earlier periods 

 of its existence. In addition to their large bodily size, crocodiles are characterised 

 by the lizard-like form of their bodies, which are supported on short limbs, and 

 carried close to the ground. The long and powerful tail is much compressed from 

 side to side, so as to be an efficient propeller in swimming ; its superficial extent 

 being increased by a vertical longitudinal crest • on its upper surface, this crest 



