PRESH-WATER ANIMALS. 315 



to be considered in this work ; especially as we are never 

 likely, unless travelling to other climes, to become very 

 familiar with the habits of Crocodiles or Alligators in full 

 growth and enjoying their natural freedom. The best ex- 

 ternal character by which we may distinguish Alligators 

 from Crocodiles is that the muzzle of the Crocodile, as seen 

 from above, narrows behind the nostrils, whereas that of 

 Alligator becomes broader, widening out towards the back 

 of the head. The writer of this book is not competent to 

 form a very oracular opinion on a class of animals which he 

 has not systematically studied ; but he inclines much to the 

 opinion expressed by an author of natural history articles 

 in the 'Penny Cyclopaedia,^ that the distinctions between 

 the two sets of animals are rather specific than generic. 

 The usual food of Alligators is fish, which they take chiefly 

 by night. Assembling in great numbers, they make for the 

 mouth of some creek or arm of the river, driving the fish 

 before them into it ; then diving down under the shoal, 

 each one secures his victim, and coming to the surface with 

 it, throws it up into the air and catches it again. This is 

 done to get rid of the water taken into the mouth with the 

 fish, before they finally swallow it. All food too large to 

 be swallowed at once, is laid by in some place of security 



