KEY. 

 A. Nasal bones form part of nasal aperture. 

 a. Head is short and broad. Union of two rami 

 of lower jaw does not extend beyond fifth 

 tooth. 



Alligator, 

 aa. Head longer and narrower. Union of rami 

 of lower jaw does not extend beyond the 

 eighth tooth. 



Crocodilus, 

 AA. Nasal bones do not form part of nasal aper- 

 ture. 



Gavialis, 

 The members of the Loricata are very benefi- 

 cial as scavengers; whether they cause any destruct- 

 ion of human life is a question open to dispute. 

 Certainly the damage they may do in this way is 

 neglible. 



CROCODYLIDAE (Family) . 



Alligator (Genus). 



34. Alligator mississipiensis (Daudin). 



AMERICAN ALLIGATOR. 

 Most people are more or less familiar with 

 this reptile^ which inhabits the swamps of the 

 Southern United States, as far west as Texas, and 

 as far north as North Carolina. The largest spec- 

 imen known to Cope had a length of 14 feet. Ac- 

 cording to the best authorities, this species wi41 not 

 attack man. The hide of the American Alligator 

 is valuable commercially, and the species is fast 

 becoming extinct, owing to the merciless and 



