10 INTRODUCTION. 



and are consequently our only really amphibious animals. However inapplicable 

 the term amphibia may be to these animals, many writers have followed the 

 example of the great Swedish naturalist. Brisson* was the first who arranged 

 them under the name Reptiles,t which term will be adopted in this work as more 

 indicative of their habits than the word amphibia. 



The science which treats of the form, organization, habits, and history of Rep- 

 tiles, is named Herpetology,:}: and has been more neglected than all other branches 

 of Zoology; for the study of Reptiles offers difficulties more nmnerous and insur- 

 mountable than those presented by any other class of vertebrated animals. 

 Inhabiting, for the most part, deep and extensive swamps, infected with malaria, 

 and abounding with diseases during the summer months, when Reptiles are most 

 numerous, time is wanting to observe their modes of life with any prospect of 

 success. Regarded, moreover, by most persons as objects of detestation, repre- 

 sented as venomous, and possessed of the most noxious properties, few have been 

 hardy enough to study their character and habits. 



Though wanting the gracefulness of form of some Mammalia, — though without 

 the beauty of plumage of some Birds, or the intelligence of others, — though they 

 lack the brilliancy of colour and wonderful instinct of the insect tribe, — still the 

 Reptiles offer many striking points of interest to the student of nature. To one 

 who would trace the chain of organized bodies, their connexion, their relation with 

 each other, and all with the great whole, the study of Herpetology is highly 

 interesting and important; for the Reptiles occupy a prominent place in the scale 

 of creation. Neither the highest, nor yet the lowest of vertebrated animals, they 

 fill a space between the Birds and Fishes, and without them a vast link in the 

 chain of animated beings would be wanting. Elevated above the Fish by the 



* Regne Animal, divise, &c. Paris, 1756. 



t Dumeril observes the term had been previously used by Lyonnet. Hist. Nat. des Rept, 

 torn. i. p. 2. 



J From ifTmov, a reptile, xoj-oj, a discourse. 



