90 CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 



§ 369. Reptiles have the power of reproducing, after 

 a certain time, the tail or limbs, and even the eyes, should 

 they be deprived of them. 



§ 370. That they have a very tenacious life, is seen in 

 the case of the tortoise, which -continues to live six 

 months and more after its brain is removed, and several 

 days after its head is cut. off, or its heart taken out. 



§371. Reptiles can abstain from food several months, 

 and some of them even longer than a year ; the cause of 

 which may be their cold blood ; for they do not perspire, 

 and therefore lose nothing by perspiration, and they di- 

 gest very slowly. 



§ 372. Reptiles are generally carnivorous, and devour 

 every thing they can conquer. A few of them are her- 

 bivorous, and eat grass or fruits, as the Green-turtle, some 

 Land-tortoises, and the Iguana Lizard. 



§ 373. The instinct of Reptiles is very inferior to that 

 of mammalia, birds, or insects. They build no nests for 

 their young, but lay their eggs in the sand or in the 

 water, which are hatched out by the heat of the sun. 

 There exists no paternal or maternal feelings among 

 them ; and, excepting the crocodiles and some kinds of 

 snakes, they form no society. 



§ 374. The eggs of Reptiles vary in size. The eggs 

 of the crocodile are as large as those of the goose ; while 

 those of frogs are not larger than the head of a pin. 



§ 375. The flesh of some tortoises, of the Iguana Lizard, 

 and of frogs, is used for food : beyond this, and the fact 

 that many of them destroy immense numbers of various 

 insects, reptiles are apparently useless animals, and man 

 could dispense with their existence without inconvenience. 



QUESTIONS OF SECT. XX. 



§363. What is Erpetologv? 

 § 364. What are Reptiles '? 

 § 365. Name the Orders of Reptiles. 



§366. What do you know of the resort of Reptiles, and why are they 

 called Amphibia? 

 §367. In what parts of the world are they found? 

 §368. What are the remarkable facts in relation to Reptiles? 

 § 369. What do you know of their reproduction ? 

 § 370. What do you know of their tenacious life ? 



