ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS. 61 



yet he observes that further observations of several individuals will be necessary 

 to determine if it be really a distinct species. 



Daudin next published an account of our animal in his Natural History of 

 Reptiles, (1802,) under the name Crocodilus Mississippiensis, the description 

 being taken from a "specimen killed on the borders of the Mississippi," and 

 furnished him by Michaux the botanist. Cuvier having completed (1807) his most 

 interesting observations on this family of animals, now described the Alligator as 

 a new species, in the "Annales du Museum," under the name "Alligator lucius," 

 from the shape of the head resembling that of the common pike of Europe, 

 (Esox lucius.) 



This specific name, although perfectly appropriate, so far as regards the form 

 of the head, cannot be retained, as that of Mississippiensis, imposed by Daudin, 

 has the undoubted right of priority. Dr. Leach, an excellent English naturalist, 

 afterwards reproduced this animal in his Zoological Miscellany as a new species, 

 and dedicated it to Cuvier (Crocodilus Cuvieri), which specific name is liable to 

 the same objection as that imposed by Cuvier himself; it is subsequent to that 

 given by Daudin. 



There exists some doubt as to the etymology of the term Alligator, by which 

 the animal is now universally known; some have supposed it derived from the 

 word "Legateer" or "Allegater," a name by which the young Crocodile is distin- 

 guished in some parts of India. Cuvier says it is much more probable that it is 

 a corruption of the Portuguese "Lagarto," derived from the Latin "Lacerta," as 

 Hawkins writes it "Alagartos;" and Sloan, in his History of Jamaica, spells it 

 "AUagator." 



