SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZARDS, CROCODILES 



259 



Chief characteristics 

 of the hzards. — They 

 usually possess a cy- 

 lindrical and more or 

 less elongatefl body, 

 which hi most cases is 

 covered with scales. 

 Four legs are for the 

 most part present, 

 but often are unable 

 to bear the ^-eight of 

 the body and there- 

 fore push rather than 

 carry the animal. 

 The mouth , unlike 

 that of the snakes, 

 can be opened onlj- 

 to a normal extent. 

 Finally, the jaws are 

 furnished with teeth, 

 and the food is mas- 

 ticated. 



179. — Gilu monster. 

 Shufeldt. 



Photograph by 



Turtles and Tortoises 



These are faii:iliar reptiles to most of us, at least. Some 

 of them live on land and some of tliem live in the water. 

 The term turtle is more usually restricted to the aquatic 

 forms, while the term tortoise is applied, if strictly used, to 

 the members of the family Testudinida', which are strictly 

 terrestrial in habits and possess club feet, but ^\■ith cUstinct 

 toes. 



