Note 4 — INTRODUCTORY.

By some naturalists the Amphibia are considered as a distinct class, by other as a sub-class either of Reptilia or of Pisces. Of the reptiles proper (at present existing), the arrangement into the orders Testudinata (or Tortoises), Sauria (or Lizards), and Ophidia (or Snakes), is the one most generally adopted; but De Blainville elevates the Loricata (or Crocodiles) to the rank of an order, and others have adopted a division of corresponding rank, Saurophidia, for the Anguis series above referred to; but the latter are merely limbless Lizards (or with abortive limbs) akin to the Scinques.—Ed.