to its sometimes being regarded 
Its most characteristic marking 
is a dark zigzag line running along the back, which 
forms an X-shaped marking on the head. It is ge- 
nerally about two feet long, and frequents dry sunny 
places. It does not increase very rapidly; for it has 
numerous enemies, and the female, which is vivi- 
parous, only begins to produce from five to fourteen 
living young in its fourth year. It is common in 
nearly all Europe. 
which has given rise 
as a distinct species. 
Order ll. 
In the Lizards and Crocodiles the difference 
between the head, body and tail is much _ better 
marked than in the snakes. The head is broad and 
flat and the jaws very long with two rows of teeth 
fixed in separate cavities. The nostrils and external 
ears can be closed by valves. The eyes are well 
developed and provided with broad eye-lids. The 
tongue is large, flabby and quite immovable. The 
body terminates in a long tail and is supported on 
four short legs. There are five toes on the fore- 
feet, which are webbed, on the 
but only four , 


Crocodilia. 

The Fer de Lance (Lothrops lanceolatus) has 
a triangular plated head, and attains the length of 
seven or eight feet, and is very variable in colour, 
though usually of a more or less bright reddish 
yellow. It is one of the most dangerous of veno- 
mous snakes, and is common on the sugar plantations 
in Martinique and Santa Lucia. When this snake 
strikes, it opens its jaws widely, darts forward, and 
then coils itself to prepare for another attack. (Figured 
on pag. 3.) 
(Crocodiles.) 
15 or 16 feet. The Alligators may be distinguished 
from the Crocodiles by their short broad snout, 
their only partially webbed hind feet and the ridges 
between the eyes. There is a hollow in the upper 
jaw for the reception of the fourth tooth of the 
lower jaw instead of a notch. The Alligator rarely 
attacks man, except in the water, but is often killed 
and eaten by the Indians, although its flesh smells 
strongly of musk. 
Plate IV. fig. b. The Common Crocodile (Cro- 
codilus vulgaris) is found in most African rivers, 
Skeleton of Crocodile. 
hind feet. The tail is long, laterally compressed, and 
very strong. The leathery skin is covered with horny 
plates. The Crocodilia lay hard-shelled eggs, and 
are found in warm climates. 
The Alligators, of which 
species, inhabit America. 
Plate IV. fig. a. The Mississippi Alligator (Ad/z- 
gator luctus) inhabits the southern United States, 
where it lives in marshes, and on the banks of the 
Mississippi. It feeds both on fish and on land-ani- 
mals, even attacking the jaguar when it comes to 
the river to drink. It grows to a length of about 
there are several 
Order lll. 
The body is long and cylindrical, and the head 
is flattened and triangular. The gape is wide, and the 
eyes are large, and generally provided with two com- 
plete eye-lids. There is a distinct neck, the back is 
generally arched, and the tail is very long and taper- 
ing. The legs are generally well developed and the toes 
are armed with sharp claws, but the limbs are occasion- 
ally rudimentary or entirely wanting. The skin is cover- 
ed with scales, which are hexagonal on the belly. The 
tongue varies according to the family. Lizards are to be 
met with in all parts of the tropical and temperate zones. 
In the Monitors and Lizards the tongue is forked, 
narrow, and very extensile. The Nile Monitor (A/o- 
nitor niloticus) is greyish brown, spotted with white, 
and grows to the length of five feet or more. It 
destroys the eggs of the Crocodile. 

Lacertilia. 

but is now becoming scarce on the Nile, although 
formerly very abundant. This formidable creature 
reaches a length of fifteen or sixteen feet. It grows 
very slowly and attains a great age. Its snout is 
more elongated than that of the Alligator and the 
upper mandible contains a notch for the fourth canine 
of the lower jaw. The hind toes of the feet are 
completely webbed. The Crocodiles lie in wait for 
animals which come to the water to drink. The 
female lays eggs, about the size of those of a goose, 
in a hole in the sand, where they are hatched by 
the heat of the sun. 
(Lizards.) 

Nile Monitor (Monitor niloticus.) 
