REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Ophidia. 



Having numerous vertebrae with single-headed hollow ribs, no 

 visible limbs, eyelids covered by an immovable transparent lid ; 

 body covered by horny scales. It includes : — 



Viperince — the Vipers and Crotalidse. 

 Colubrina — the Colubers, Hydridae, and Boidse. 



Crocodilia. 



Teeth in a single row, implanted in distinct sockets ; body de- 

 pressed, elongated, protected on the back by solid shield ; tail 

 longer than the trunk, compressed laterally, and furnished with 

 crests above. The several families are : — 



Crocodilida — the Gavials, Mecistops, Crocodiles. 

 Alligaloridce — Jacares, Alligators, Caiman.* 



* By some naturalists the Amphibia are considered as a distinct class, by others 

 as a sub-class either of Reptilia or of Pisces. Of the Reptiles proper (at present 

 existing), the arrangement into the orders Testudinata (or Tortoises), Sauria (or 

 Lizards), and Ophidia (or Snakes), is the one most generally adopted ; but De 

 Blainville elevates the Loricata (or Crocodiles) to the rank of an order, and others 

 have adopted a division of corresponding rank, Saurophida, for the Anguis series 

 above referred to ; but the latter are merely limbless Lizards (or with abortive 

 limbs) akin to the S cinques. — Ed. 



