Lx ] 
But many of the animals that form this lee are 
of immediate benefit to mankind. The Turtle, or 
Sea-Tortoife, firpplies the torrid zone with a whole- 
fome and delicious food, as the epicures of our own 
country can atteft. Frogs are a food in feveral 
parts, as Lizards and Serpents are in others. 
The medicinal virtues of the Viper are partly ex- 
ploded by the moderns, but time, the overthrower 
of fyftems, as well as en mpires, may reftore it to 
the rank it held with the antients. The Lacerta 
Scincus is, however, yet efteemed in the Eaf for its 
dalubrious qualities, and even Toads have contri- 
buted to the eafe of patients in the moft inveterate 
of all difeafes. 2 
Had I foltowed Linueus, and included the Carti- 
laginous Fifh in this clafs, there would have been 
ample room for panegyric, for it is very doubtful 
whether any are pernicious; but the ufes of many, 
either as food or for mechanical purpofes, were never 
queftioned. 
But if the external figure of the reptile tribe is 
difeufting, they have one general beauty, an apt 
configuration of parts for their way of life, nor are 
they deftitute of their peculiar graces: the fine dif- 
pofition of plates in the fhell of the Tortoife, with 
the elegant fymmetry of their colors, muft ftrike 
€ven common obfervers, while the eye of the de- 
{pifed Toad has a luftre denied to more pleafing 
forms. ‘The frolicfome agility of Lizards enlivens 
the dried banks in hot climates, and the great affec- 
tion which fome of them fhew to mankind, fhould 
farther engage our regard and attention. 
The 
