3°2 



THE GUIDE TO XATURE. 



flow allowing a garden hose to be turned 

 into it ad libitum. ( )ne of the 'gators' 

 chief delights is to play with the stream 

 of water as it rushes into the pool; fre- 

 quently the water is allowed to fall from 

 some height, and then the larger 'gator 

 disports himself in it, allowing the 

 stream to run into his mouth and on his 

 hack. A covered portion of the enclos- 

 ure gives them shelter from heavy 

 rains and intense sunshine should they 

 desire it. A gateway opening into the 



peacefully within short distances of each 

 other. 



A most interesting performance is to 

 see them tobogganing down the stairs; 

 with the toes of the fore-feet fully out- 

 stretched, the legs slightly bent, and the 

 hind legs projecting backwards and 

 closely applied to the tail, the 'gator 

 slides down the stairway in most rapid 

 and ludicrous fashion. 



They walk all about us, creeping un- 

 der our chairs while we are seated, and 



THE PET ALLIGATORS 

 The larger is over four and a half feet. Raised fr 



yard allows them free exit, and all day 

 they roam about the premises; they can 

 be found at any place in the yard, or 

 if not there will be found in the house, 

 where they explore all corners, climbing 

 on to chairs, boxes, into the dog's beds, 

 and constantly being on the alert to slip 

 into the stairway to get upstairs. When 

 determined to get into the house nothing 

 will swerve them from their purpose, for 

 they will scratch at the screen door per- 

 sistently, and if driven away again and 

 again, will invariably return, accom- 

 panying their scratchin 



with grunts 

 until they are permitted to enter, a thing 

 they seem to enjoy more than any other 

 pleasure. They are on the best terms of 

 familiarity with the dogs and cat, walk- 

 ing about among them and often sleeping 



IN THE BACK YARD 

 om little fellows scarcely eight inches in length. 



when basking in the sun on the walks 

 or on the lawn, allow you to step over 

 them, never thinking of getting out of 

 your way. The larger one enjoys being 

 patted on the head and having his back 

 rubbed; the smaller one. of a surly 

 disposition, does not enjoy familiarity. 

 Again and again we have compared them 

 to our two dogs, the larger one being of 

 a friendly and lovable disposition, the 

 smaller one, like the small dog, surly 

 and ill-tempered; he hisses when pro- 

 voked and frequently also when not 

 provoked. Among themselves they get 

 along most harmoniously, manifesting a 

 certain fondness and attachment for each 

 other, evinced by a peculiar bellowing 

 and grunt of satisfaction. If alarmed 

 the large one utters his deep bass note-. 



