CHAPTER II. 
Crocodiles, Dinosaurs, and Flying Dragons,—O rders Crocodilia, 
Dinosauria, and Ornithosauria. 
The living crocodiles, among which may he included in a general sense not only 
the reptiles to which that name more properly belongs, but likewise those 
commonly designated alligators, caimans, and garials, are the only existing 
representatives of three orders, which comprise among their members not only 
the most highly organised of all Reptiles, and those which approach nearest in 
their organisation to Birds, but likewise the largest of all terrestrial Reptiles, as, 
indeed, of any land animals. Although these three orders possess many character¬ 
istics in common, it will be more convenient to describe the leading features of 
each separately, in the course of which their common attributes will be pointed out. 
SKELETON AND ABDOMINAL RIBS OF CROCODILE. 
Characteristics Sluggish in disposition, hideous in form, and huge in size, 
of Crocodiles, crocodiles alone among existing Reptiles serve in some measure to 
recall the giant Saurians with which the earth was peopled during earlier periods 
of its existence. In addition to their large bodily size, crocodiles are characterised 
by the lizard-like form of their bodies, which are supported on short limbs, and 
carried close to the ground. The long and powerful tail is much compressed from 
side to side, so as to be an efficient propeller in swimming; its superficial extent 
being increased by a vertical longitudinal crest on its upper surface, this crest 
