REPTILES I77 



show them to have enjoyed an almost world-wide range, 

 pointing to a wider distribution of genial conditions. 

 Some of the Crocodiles must have attained vast proportions, 

 teeth found in the Kemridge Clay of Ely measuring four 

 or five inches in length. 



The only Crocodile frequenting the open sea to-day 

 is the great salt-water Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, this 

 proven man-eater, ranging along the coasts of India, 

 Ceylon, Southern China, the Malay Archipelago, the 

 Solomon Islands, and Northern Australia. It not only 

 takes to the open sea but avails itself of brackish and fresh 

 waters, thus making its way amongst the mass of islands 

 and even travelling overland by way of a short cut from 

 one sea to another. 



It grows to a length of over 30 ft., and is distinguished 

 from other Crocodiles by a large bony prominence or 

 ridge in front of each eye. Old specimens are dark olive 

 brown or black, and in common with all other species 

 the mouth is cream coloured or dead white. The gullet 

 may be closed by a movable flap, enabling the mouth to 

 be opened under water, whilst the eyes, ears and nostrils 

 can be similarly rendered water-tight. 



Little seems to come amiss to it in the way of animal 

 food, its method of attack being to seize with the jaws, 

 and then if the prey be too large to be swallowed whole, 

 dismembering by a series of sideways twists and wrenches. 

 The claws may also be brought into play. 



As with other four-footed aquatic Reptiles, the limbs 

 when swimming are placed close to the sides, motive power 

 being supplied solely by the powerful tail. On occasion 

 it can emit a loud hissing noise and long periods of con- 



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