268 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 
shape articulated one within the other. Before striking its prey, 
it throws itself into a coil, and shakes its rattle. Another 
highly-dangerous species is the Copperhead (Z7rigonocephalus 
contortrix). The common European viper (Pelzas berus) is 
hardly fatal to adults, but its bite causes serious inflammation, 
Other venomous snakes of evil notoriety are the Death-adder 
(Acanthophis tortor) of Australia, the Puff-adder (Vipera inflata) 
of South Africa, the Horned Viper (Cevastes cornutus) of Egypt, 
and the Harlequin-snakes (£/afs), but many others are equally 
dangerous. 
Equally venomous with the worst of the Viperine snakes are 
some of the Colubrine snakes, such as the deadly Cobra di 
Capello (Waza tripudians) of India, and the nearly allied Naja 
haje (fig. 142) of Africa. 
ORDER III. LACERTILIA.—The third order of reptiles is that 
of the Lacertzdza, comprising all the animals which are properly 
known as Lizards, together with some snake-like creatures, such 
as the Blind-worm. They are distinguished by the following 
) . 
SVT gi QQnsssnn OMY AN 
AN! \N WW " 
ok 
~ 
| x 
oe 
Fig, 144.—Iguana. 
characters : Usually there are two pairs of well-developed limbs, 
but there may be only one pair, or all the limbs may be rudi- 
mentary. In all cases, however, a scapular arch is present. 
The vertebrae are usually hollow in front (frocelous), rarely 
hollow at both ends (amphicelous). In no living Lacertilian 
are the teeth lodged in distinct sockets. The eyes are mostly 
furnished with movable eyelids. 
As a general rule, the animals included under this head have 
four well-developed legs, and would therefore be popularly 
called “ Lizards.” Some of them, however, such as the common 
