ORDER OPHfDIA. S85 



SUPPLEMENT ON THE OPHIDIANS. 



This name was first given by M. Alexandre Brongniart to 

 this order, which comprehends the animals designated by 

 Linnaeus under the collective appellation of Amphibia Ser- 

 pentes, and which, in the vertebrated class, are, beyond all 

 contradiction, the most easily to be distinguished by unequi- 

 vocal characters, and common signs derived from their con- 

 formation and habits. 



The name is of Greek origin. It is derived from"oij>i$, the 

 word by which Aristotle and all his compatriots designated 

 a serpent, and "a^oc, which signifies form or figure. 



The order ophidia, adopted by MM. Cuvier and Dume- 

 ril, as well as by the majority of modern erpetologists, is very 

 natural. Its generic characters are as follow ; the 



Body, elongated, narrow, without paws or fins ; no mobile 

 lids, or, properly speaking, distinct tympanum : some teeth 

 in the jaws ; teguments formed by scales, or by an annulated 

 coriaculary or granular skin. 



Considering only their external characters, the animals 

 of this order have been grouped by some naturalists, for the 



