i5 



differences are very great between the various orders of 

 reptiles, and this is evident at a glance. 



Reptiles may have four limbs, or either two front or two 

 hind limbs, or none, or they may be rudimentary, in which 

 case they may be either visible or internal only. 



Though reptiles live much in dark or underground 

 places, or in the water, yet as a class they need warmth 

 more than all other vertebrates. Very few are found in 

 the colder climates, and as distance from the tropics in- 

 creases they rapidly decrease in numbers. All reptiles 

 delight in sunning themselves, lying motionless in the full 

 glare of the sun, as snakes and turtles do, or playing about 

 with great agility like the lizards, but they are ever alert 

 to possible prey or to threatening danger. All are timid 

 animals. 



Walk along the edge of a pond. Here and there you will 

 see little points above the water surface ; they may be 

 floating chips or projecting sticks, but the vibration im- 

 parted to bank and water by your step, or the sight of 

 your body moving ever so' cautiously, suddenly causes 

 these little points to vanish. The turtles have sought 

 refuge in the mud beneath or they are swimming away 

 below the surface. Remain perfectly still, and by and by 

 a nose tip, and gradually a whole head, will re-appear. 

 This is turned about with great caution until the whole field 

 has been overlooked and all danger appears to have passed. 

 Sit down near an old wall or fence and " study to be 

 quiet " ; presently a pointed little head will protrude from 

 between two stones or from under the bark of a stump ; 

 the head carefully scans its surroundings, the little eyes 

 dance about, and in a moment a bright little elf will crawl 

 out and enjoy the warm light. Soon another and another 

 will appear from their hiding places, and a search for in- 

 sects begins or a lively game of tag will take place. One 

 inconsiderate move on your part, the fall of a pebble, or 

 even the sudden shadow of a bird flying overhead, and the 

 lizards are gone. Such are some of the peculiarities of this 



