REPTILES. 271 



to the shield. The fore legs are remarkably produced, with 

 the toes united, to serve as a fin. The species of tliis 

 group live in the sea. 



5. Chelonia. Back-plate covered with corneous scales 

 Testuda Mydas. 



6. CoRiTDO. Back-piate destitute of scales. Testudo 

 coriacea. 



B. Lips fleshy, with a pFoduced snout. Toes webbed. 



7- CiiELYs. Back-plate scaly. 



There is a protuberance to the hind feet occupying the 

 place of a web, but destitute of a claw. The toes before^ 

 and the four behind, are armed with claws. The tail ter- 

 minates, as in many of the other genera, in a hard point, 

 Testudo fimbria, Bruguiere, Journ. d'Hist. Nat. vol. i. 

 p. 258. tab. xiii. f. 1. 2. 



8. Trio NIX. Back-plate destitute of scales, but covered 

 with a coriaceous skin, studded near each extremity with 

 hard knobs. 



Three toes on each foot only having claws. Inhabiting 

 fresh water. Testudo fer ox. Pennant, Phil. Trans. 1771, 

 p. 268. Tab. x. fig. 1, 2, 3. 



SAURIA. 



Body covered with scales. 



This group, including the genera Draco and Lacerta 

 of LiNN.EUS, and denominated Sauriens by the French 

 naturalists, includes animals which have usually a length- 

 ened body, ending in a long tail. The skin is protected by 

 scales, which, in some of the genera, assume the form of 

 plates. The vertebral column is complete, and capable of 

 motion. The ribs are united with the stei-num, and, by 

 their motions, assist respiration. The feet are widely placed, 

 so that walking is performed in an irregular manner. Some 



