20 



be consoled by knowing that another book is to be ob- 

 tained, in which the subject is more amplified. 



Case 1 contains those which have the Body co- 

 vered with two Shields formed of Bones ; often of bony 

 plates imbedded in the skin ; as the Tortoise and Croc- 

 odile. The former of which, that live on land, have 

 club-shaped feet ; as the Tabular Tortoise from the 

 Brazils, which bury themselves in the ground during the 

 winter; and used often by the American Sailors for food. 

 Those which live in water, have their shells more de- 

 pressed, and their toes furnished with sharp claws : they 

 are of three kinds ; the Terrapins withdraw their head 

 and neck between the shells ; the chelys bend it back 

 under the side margin of the shell : the other kind have 

 their shell covered with a naked skin : they are often 

 seen preying on human bodies as they float down the 

 Ganges. The Marine Tortoises or Turtles, are distin- 

 guished by their feet being compressed and fin-shaped ; 

 they live on weeds. The species called Test Midas 

 is brought to this country for food. The Imbricated 

 (Test Imbricata) afford a fine shell, which ladies know 

 the use of. 



The alligators are distinguished from the crocodiles 

 by their not having webbed toes. 



Case 2. contains various Saurian Reptiles or Mon- 

 itors of the Old World and its Islands. They have the 

 tongue long and deeply forked : and are held in great 

 veneration by the natives, who assert that they give no- 

 tice of the approach of the crocodile by hissing. Then 

 follows various kinds of Lizards from America; the 

 Swift Lizards from China and Java, are said to run 

 with amazing velocity : in this case is a specimen of 

 one with a reproduced tail, which they often lose in en- 

 deavouring to escape from an enemy. In 



Cases 3 and 4. are others of the Saurian Reptiles, 

 from America and China. One group, the Hemidac- 

 tylus, are common in the habitations of India, Egypt, 

 and South America, and are called House Lizards. 



Case 4. contains also several species of Lizards, prin- 

 cipally those that have their teeth placed at the end of 



