132 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
A general characteristic of reptiles is found in that they are cold-blooded, 
because of a sluggish circulation, and their usual mode of locomotion is by 
crawling. Other singularities are noticeable in their great vitality, torpidity 
after eating, lethargy during cold periods, slow digestion, and muscular energy 
less highly developed than in the mammals. Most reptiles are oviparous, laying 
eggs which, however, are never incubated; but some are viviparous, like the 
rattlesnake, bringing forth their young so well developed that they are at once 
able to care for themselves. Many reptiles are also provided with shell or 
scales, so strong as to compose a veritable cuirass, impenetrable by common 
rifle ball when fired at ordinary range Others again have minute scales so 
closely laid as to serve to facilitate the creature’s motion through grass 
or water. But of the many varieties found in all countries, there are none 
that present a pleasing appearance, though some are clothed in a robe 
reflecting iridescent colors, and others are mottled with stripes and spots of 
splendid hues. 
These, however, do not serve to lessen the natural dread in which they are 
held, which is felt for the harmless as well as for the venomous. But though 
we shrink from close familiarity with these repulsive animals, there is a curi¬ 
osity, which some call morbid, which draws ns almost irresistibly to gaze upon 
such creatures whenever opportunity presents, a desire that extends even to 
interest in illustrations of all reptiles, however abhorrent may be their appear¬ 
ance or the loathsomeness they excite. Indeed, paradoxical as it may appear, 
the excessively homely creatures attract us quite as much as do the beautiful, 
though we may not know why this is so. 
FROGS AND TOADS. 
Though some naturalists do not include frogs in their classification of 
reptiles, reserving them for a general order, called batrachia , I have preferred 
to follow the arrangement of equally reliable authorities and introduce this 
order as the one in most natural sequence to fishes on account of a similarity 
which exists between the two orders in many essentials. The two prime differ¬ 
ences that serve to distinguish the frog and the toad is in the former being 
largely an inhabitant of the water, and having a smooth, flecked skin, while the 
latter, though not extremely averse to water, spends his life upon land, clothed 
in a much less inviting raiment than his aquatic first-cousin. The water frog 
is admirably adapted to his element by being provided with webbed feet and 
long hind legs, which enable him to move through the water at great speed. 
His toes, however, are of considerable length, by which he can cling to limb 
or log, and which make his footing sure on shore. Like all amphibians, 
the heart of a frog has a single ventricle, permitting the blood to circulate 
without the help of lungs, thus enabling it to remain for a long while under 
water. 
Professor Raesel, of Nuremberg, devoted several years of his life to a study 
of the frog in all its metamorphoses, and upon this subject supplies ns with 
some very curious, as well as useful information, upon whose authority most 
naturalists rely for the following facts: 
The common frog, in which designation both the toad and water-frog may 
be included, since the propagation of each is identical, chooses his mate early in 
