Serpentes

Ophidia O*phid"i*a, prop. n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, dim. of 'o`fis a snake.] (Zo["o]l.) The suborder of reptiles which includes the serpents; called also {{Serpentes}}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Note: The most important divisions are: the {Solenoglypha}, having erectile perforated fangs, as the rattlesnake; the {Proteroglypha}, or elapine serpents, having permanently erect fang, as the cobra; the {Asinea}, or colubrine serpents, which are destitute of fangs; and the {Opoterodonta}, or {Epanodonta}, blindworms, in which the mouth is not dilatable. [1913 Webster]