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Reptiles, or Amphibia

There are full 1500 species of Reptiles and Frogs. The organs of circulation of reptiles are simple, and only a portion of the blood brought back by the veins passes through the organs of respiration.

Their quantity of respiration, and all the other qualities that depend on it vary. Amphibia are cold-blooded and their lungs and heart are differently formed from warm-blooded animals. Their lungs are like bladders, or membranes, and the heart has only one ventricle, with a vein to convey it in, and an artery to carry it out. Their limbs and tail destroyed, grow again. They are torpid in winter, freeze with and in water, and revive when it melts. Some amphibia have branchæ like fishes, and lungs like land animals. The larvæ of frogs and some other species are thus formed.

AMPHIBIA are divided into two orders, Reptiles and Serpents; and there are four genera of reptiles, testudo, draco, lacerta, and rana; and nine of serpents, crotalus, boa, coluber, angeris, amphisbæna, cæcelia, achrocordus, hydrus, and langaya. Reptiles become torpid when the temperature is below 40°. Snails, mollusca, and land testacea do the same. In hot and equal climates, as between the tropics, hibernation is unknown. There are ten species of scorpions. Their bite is poisonous in the tropics, but the European species kill only small animals. In France a dog and some pigeons died by the stings in their tails, which they curve for offence or defence. There are 81 species of lacerta, or lizard, of which the crocodile, the alligator, and guana are the chief. Those in England are very inoffensive, timid creatures, and one species is the water-newt, three or four inches long. Twelve species of crocodiles, have been distinguished, four of which are called alligators, and two gavials. Those of the Nile are the largest, but they are now very uncommon; at least in Lower Egypt, where a crocodile would be regarded as a great curiosity. Their form is that of a lizard, sometimes thirty feet long, and nine or ten feet round. The body is covered with scales, hard enough to turn a musket-ball; with a mouth several feet long, filled with teeth like a saw. They pursue their prey with agility, but cannot turn, and therefore are easily escaped; but what is once caught is held fast, and if large, drowned. The females lay from 30 to 100 eggs in a season, but they are destroyed by the ichneumon; and some species of the tortoise destroy their young. They are so tenacious of life, that it is very difficult to kill them. The cranium of a large crocodile will only admit the thumb.

There are 36 species of the rana, or frog genius, including toads, the whole being innocuous, while the common toad is curious from its longevity when enclosed in hollows of trees or stones, and the Surinam toad from its producing its young from cells in its back. The American bull-frog, 18 inches long, is so called from the noise it makes in the woods.