ALLIGATOR MISSISSIPPIENSIS. 57 



The Alligator in his native state is exceedingly voracious, and feeds on any 

 animal substance that may fall in his way; though he seems mostly attracted by 

 fish, and by other animals in motion, as minks, musk-rats, dogs, &c., so as to 

 render it almost impossible for them to cross even small streams without danger, 

 at certain seasons of the year. These the Alligator seizes, drags under water, 

 suffocates, and conveys to his lair, to be devoured at leisure. 



Having no prehensile organs but the mouth and strong teeth with which they 

 seize their prey, drag and retain it under water, and breathing as they do, only 

 atmospheric air, and with lungs, it follows that they might as soon be suffocated, 

 when thus submerged, as their struggling prey. A curious arrangement of the 

 soft palate prevents this; it hangs down to meet a broad cartilaginous plate that 

 projects upwards from the lingual bone, so as to close completely the fauces, (in 

 which the trachea is placed,) when the mouth is widely opened, and effectually 

 prevents the introduction of -water to the lungs, which would cause the death of 

 the animal. 



Alligators are said to lie in wait for their prey on the banks of creeks and rivers, 

 and Avhen it approaches, they sweep it into the water with their tail; and it is 

 certain that the animal uses the tail in defence, striking with it the enemy, and 

 turning the head to the same side, at the same instant, so as to represent nearly 

 a circle; further than this it cannot be carried, in consequence of the extreme 

 length of the transverse processes of the cervical vertebriE. 



The Alligator takes the hook readily enough, when baited with flesh, but it 

 requires strong tackle, such as is used in shark-fishing, to secure them, so great 

 is the strength of an adult animal. When taken, they emit a disagreeable odour 

 of musk, Avhich proceeds from glands placed under the lower jaw. These glands 

 are sometimes preserved and used as a substitute for musk in perfumery. 



Besides the natural food of the animal, there is at all times found in the 

 stomach of the Alligator, various extraneous substances, as stones, pieces of 

 Vol. II.— 8 



