Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/299

Rh believed to be a native of South America. A yellow band runs down each side of the body, the general hue of which is blackish; the under jaw, the margin of the vent, and a stripe upon the tail, are also yellow. The contour is more elegant in this species than in most of this Order, swelling a little in the middle, and gently tapering to each extremity. There is a small, but distinct, conical tail. The ringed wrinkles are perfectly continued round the body, and are very numerous, amounting to three hundred and forty. These folds may be easily raised by the point of a pin, revealing a great number of minute transparent scales, of a circular form, the surface of which is covered with a sort of network pattern, of projecting lines.

have thus gone through the diverse and extensive Class denominated ; and we trust that the particulars that we have detailed may induce some of our readers to regard with fresh interest many animals which may have hitherto excited no feelings but those of fear, disgust, and aversion. Some of them, we have seen, are deservedly looked upon with dread; and it is desirable to know how such may be discriminated, that our fear and hate may not be unreasonably extended to a whole Class of animals, most of which are innocent, many beautiful, and some useful; and all of which demonstrate the glory of God, who is infinitely great in all His works. "By His