Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AM-PHIB'I-AL, or AM-PHIB'I-AN, n. [or AM-PHIB'I-A. Gr. αμφι, both or about, and βιος, life.]

In zoology, amphibials are a class of animals, so formed as to live on land, and for a long time under water. Their heart has but one ventricle; their blood is red and cold; and they have such command of the lungs, as for a considerable time to suspend respiration. This class of animals is divided into two orders, the Reptiles and the Serpents. To the first belong the Testudo or tortoise, the Draco or dragon, the Lacerta or lizard, and the Rana or frog; to the second, the Crotalus, Boa, Coluber, Anguis; Amphisbena, and Cecilia. – Linn. The term has also been applied to such quadrupeds as frequent the water, particularly the marine quadrupeds, such as the seal, walrus and lamantin. – Encyc.