THE CROCODILIANS 65 



vicious brutes may be imagined. Peculiar to explain, 

 the writer has seen a big alligator grab a good-sized 

 dog, then with a single effort, crush the animal's bones 

 with a sickening, dull, crunching sound, yet that same 

 crocodilian s jaws could be held shut by a moderately 

 strong pair of hands, for all the power appears to 

 center in the closing of the jaws. 



Often has the writer been asked the question — "What 

 is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?" 

 In reality, the question is not a very important one, 

 as of the twenty-one species of crocodilians there are 

 but two "alligators," * one inhabiting North America 

 and the other the Yang-tse-Kiang River, in China. 

 There is very little structural difference between the 

 two, but from the frequency with which we hear the 

 query it appears that many regard it as imperative, 

 before commencing the study of natural history, to 

 learn the points distinguishing an "alligator" from a 

 "crocodile." And many have been the answers to the 

 question, prepared in exhaustive fashion that causes 

 the brain to whirl in an endeavor to assimilate the dis- 

 cussion. While we are discussing structure let us deal 

 concisely with this alligator versus crocodile question, 

 thus : — 



The American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, 

 inhabiting the southeastern portion of the United 

 States, is distinguished from the only other crocodilian 

 found within its range — the American Crocodile — as 

 follows — 



Entire head broad; bluntly rounded at snout. 



The Alligator, Alligator mississippicnsis. 



Head triangular; becoming very narrow toward snout. 



The Crocodile, Crocodilus americanus. 



i Members of the jjenus Alligator. 



