THE CROCODILIANS 



69 



i These species are exceptions in their genus. The snout is blunt like 

 that of the genus Alligator. 



* Alleged to grow to this size by competent observers. 



From the table the student will see that the gradation, 

 in the form of the head from the almost beak-like snout 

 of the gavial to the blunt, round snout of the alligator, 

 is fairly complete. In consequence we can compile no 

 startling definitions in the time-frayed "alligator and 

 crocodile" query. 



Judging from the great size of some species, theory, 

 coupled with observations under inappropriate condi- 

 tions, has led some writers to assert that crocodilians 

 are remarkably slow in growing and live to an enormous 

 age — never stated. One observer alleges it requires 

 twenty years for an alligator to grow to a length of 

 two feet. In a cold-water aquarium, provided with 



