I20 



VERTEBRATES : BATRACHIANS. 



dogs, or even small deer, after they have crushed them 

 in their powerful folds. 



The Black Snake and the Striped Snakes are the 

 most common kinds in North America. The former 

 is from three to five feet long, and lustrous black. It 

 runs very fast, and climbs trees and bushes to find bird's 

 nests and devour the young. It is harmless to man. 



The Rattlesnake of North America, is found on 

 rocky hills and mountains, and its bite is often fatal 

 to men and animals. It has two \'ery sharp fangs 

 in the upper jaw. These are hollow or grooved, and 

 connected with a bag of poison, so that ^\'hen the 

 snake strikes them into an animal, the poison is forced 

 into the \vound. 



BATRACHIANS. 



These are Vertebrates which have no scales, and 

 which lay their eggs in the water ; the young re- 



Fig, 178. 



Fig. 179. 



Fig. 177. 



^-:^-« 



^A^ ^- 



Fig. 180. Fig. iSi. Fig. 182. 



F'gs. 177- 1S2. — Changes in the form of a Frog from the time of 

 liatching. 



semble Fishes more than they do their parents, and 

 breathe by means of gills, like Fishes; but the adults 



