( 82 ) 



scavengers, whilst their destruction can only be effected by 

 the offering of rewards for them or their eggs. 



LXXXI. The common crocodiles, Crocodilus palustris, 



Less., and C. porosits. Schn., are found 



The common crocodile. . . . * _ T ' ' 



in most parts 01 India. These rep- 

 tiles, although usually termed man-eaters or snub-nosed 

 crocodiles, also assist in depopulating the waters of fish, 

 and it may be that it is only when unable to obtain a 

 sufficiency of the finny tribes, or carrion, that they attack 

 man and large mammals ; but having once tasted blood, they 

 appear to be eager to do so again. In some of the irriga- 

 tion canals one or more of these creatures may usually 

 be seen below the lochs where there are pools stocked 

 with fish, and when the latter fails, they turn their atten- 

 tion to the cattle. To show how these monsters in- 

 crease in suitable localities, I may mention that in 

 December 1868 I saw four at Cuttack below the 

 large weir ; six weeks subsequently they had increased to 

 nine, besides many little ones. As it must be admitted that 

 10 seers of large fish a day would be absolutely necessary 

 for the sustenance of each of these nine adults, which mea- 

 sured from about ten to sixteen feet in length, or 90 seers in 

 all, whilst the bazar price at this period was about four annas 

 a seer, we see that good wholesome food to the value of 

 Es. 22-3 was being daily sacrificed at this one spot. My 

 suggestion of a reward of Es. 5 each was disregarded, al- 

 though the amount would have amply sufficed. If, for 

 argument's sake, we consider these nine have not increased, 

 nor the young lived to grow up, and the daily amount con- 

 sumed is computed to continue the same all the year round, 

 what must be the result ? As it is now upwards of 3^ years 

 since this saving, or rather non-expenditure of lis. 45 was 

 decided upon, and assuming the crocodiles' appetites have 

 only induced them to limit their captures to fish, we might 

 have a loss or waste of Es. 28,732 worth of fish used for 

 their support. I merely give this as an illustration of which 

 plan is the most practical. Of course there are many dis- 

 turbing elements, as they occasionally vary their diet by 

 eating a human being, horse, or cow, w T hich would reduce 

 the amount of fish consumed ; but the above figures are only 

 intended to show the waste of food computed at the bazar 

 rates as existing at the period I was at Cuttack. The Com- 

 missioner of Assam observes, — " at all events, I have little 

 doubt but that the number of fishes destroyed by the croco- 



