

AMPHIBIOUS ANIMALS, 



JL HE title of Amphibia is given by Linnseus to the 

 Reptile and Serpent tribes; or to such animals as 

 have cold blood, and live occasionally both on land 

 and in water. It is true that this may be considered 

 exceptionable on account of some individuals being 

 confined to only one of those elements: these are, 

 however, so very few as not, with any propriety, to 

 affect their general denomination. None of the 

 animals can exist exclusively in water, since they 

 all breathe the air of our atmosphere. 



Their abode is usually in retired, watery, and 

 shady places, where they are, most probably, sta- 

 tioned to prevent the excessive multiplication of 

 water animals and insects: and themselves, in many 

 instances, to serve as food for fishes and birds. 

 They do not chew their food, but swallow it whole, 

 the throat and stomach being capable of great dis- 

 tention, sometimes receiving animals of greater 

 thickness than themselves in a natural state. Some, 

 but not many of them, live on plants or fkbh. They 

 have a power of enduring abstinence that would 



VOL. III. B 



