REPTILES. 



30i 



dissected. The tail in this group is very muscular, and 

 is compressed throughout its length; it thus forms a 

 powerful swimming organ, especially as its upper edge is 

 frequently surmounted with a crest of flattened elevated 

 scales. These large and powerful Lizards, which are often 

 five feet in length, and stout in proportion, usually endea- 

 vour to overcome their prey by dragging it into a river 

 and drowning it. 



In all these particulars we see an approach to those 

 mighty tyrants of tropical rivers, the Crocodiles, which 

 have been celebrated from remotest antiquity as the very 

 impersonation of bestial power and ferocity. The noble 

 description of Leviathan in the book of Job — the climax 

 of those majestic interrogatories wherewith Jehovah 

 withered the pride of his too audacious servant — is a 

 picture of one of these Reptiles, drawn from the life by 

 jkfce master-hand of Him who made it. 



"Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are 

 terrible round about. His scales are his pride, shut up 

 together as with a close seal. One is so near to another, 

 that no air can come between them. They are joined one 

 to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sun- 

 dered. By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes 

 are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go 

 burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his 

 nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething-pot or caldron. 

 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his 

 mouth. In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is 

 turned into joy before him. 



" The flakes of his flesh are joined together : they are 

 firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. His heart is 



