CLASS REPTILIA. 



123 



FIG. 214. 



and are incubated by the heat generated through slow 

 decomposition. 



The Q-avials (ga'vi alz) 

 of India have the snout 

 narrow and greatly elon- 

 gated. In some localities, 

 owing to the superstition 

 of the natives, they are 

 protected from destruc- 

 tion, and have become so 

 numerous as to be danger- 

 ous to human life. 



Species of Crocodiles are 



-, . 1,1,1 -NT Gavid'lis ganget'lcus. Gavial. 



found in both the New and 



the Old World. The Nile Crocodile inhabits all the 

 African rivers. In some localities it is ferocious, attack- 

 ing the herdsman's cattle and sometimes even young 

 children. It does some good, however, as it devours 



Xv >'c &VOSJS 



%:> > - 



^nr^K- 



Croc o Ol' lus vul ga' ris. Crocodile. 



large quantities of decaying animal matter, that would 

 otherwise pollute the water. Its snout is shorter and 

 broader than that of the Gavial. 



The Alligator has a snout still shorter and broader 

 than that of the Crocodile. 



Alligators are common in the swamps of our Southern 



