166 CLASS REPTILIA. 



name of Etbobenae, have the tail likewise rounded and 

 conical, but this part is not distinct from the rest of the 

 body. 



A superficial examination is sufficient for the purpose of dis- 

 tinguishing a Saurian from every other reptile. Nevertheless, 

 there are some of them, which exhibit relations to genera, of 

 orders, and even classes from which they are otherwise greatly 

 removed, — Thus for example, though the Saurians differ 

 from the Ophidia by the presence of limbs, and the existence 

 of moveable eyelids ; from the Batracians, by not being 

 subject to metamorphoses ; from the Chelonia, by the want 

 of carapace, and the existence of teeth ; and from the fishes 

 by not having gills ; yet there are many points in which they 

 approximate to all those animals. The anguis seems a link 

 to connect them with tHe first, and the emys serpentina with 

 the third — while the crocodiles and dragons, attach them to 

 the second, and the fourth. The study therefore, of the 

 interior organization of these animals is indispensably re- 

 quisite for their proper classification. 



There is perhaps no other class of animals, which exhibit 

 more marked and numerous varieties in the way of locomo- 

 tion than the Saurians. This might naturally be expected, 

 when we consider that there is no other in which the species 

 differ so much in their modes of life and the nature of their 

 habitations. The sojourn of some of them seems fixed to 

 the waters, and these are organized for swimming. — Such 

 for instance, are the crocodiles, the caymans and the gavials. 

 Others, like the green lizard, seek out dry and elevated 

 grounds, while some, as the basilisk, prefer the neighbour- 

 hood of aquatic places. Some inhabit the hollows of rocks, 

 and others live in the centre of woods — some, such as the 

 iguanas, climb with swiftness to the extremity of the bran- 

 ches of trees; and others, (the dragons) spring from one 

 to the other, with a rapidity of motion resembling flight; 



