REPTILES. 
301 
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 
the master-hand of Him who made it. 
a -\yfio can open the doors of his face 1 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 goetli smoke, as out of a seethiug-pot or caldron. 
His breath kindle th 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 
