ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. aly 7 
hibernating period, show a more rapid growth than that given in 
the table relating to our captive specimens. As evidence on this 
point, we may cite certain experiments that have been conducted 
in the Zoological Park. 
Two lots of alligators, each containing about a dozen speci- 
mens, have been placed under the different conditions. One lot 
was kept outside, in a pond where the reptiles enjoyed compar- 
ative freedom, the other lot remained indoors, in one of the capa- 
cious tanks of the Reptile House. The outside specimens soon 
became wild, and very difficult to approach. As a result, they 
received food with less regularity and in smaller quantity than 
the indoor specimens; but at the end of the warm season, they 
were invariably found to be considerably larger than the latter. 
There is a powerful and mysterious tonic in the outdoor air, the 
summer rains, and the muddy waters of a natural pool. The 
writer has noted the same result with snakes and lizards. He has 
set free young specimens of the latter kind in localities where they 
could be readily found again, and has kept members of the same 
broods indoors, endeavoring to “force” them by feeding them as 
frequently as they could properly assimilate their food. Yet we 
found the results to be the same as with crocodilians. The wild 
reptiles, when recaptured, were probably a third larger than those 
so carefully reared in confinement. 
The coastal, swampy regions of the southeastern portion of the 
United States—the home of the alligator—are particularly condu- 
cive to the rapid growth of their reptile denizens. The favorite 
abode of the alligator is in the “low-grounds” rather than in large 
bodies of water. These ordinarily embrace combinations of jun- 
gle-like thickets, small savannas, and stagnant “water-holes.”’ 
After heavy rains much of these areas are covered with water. 
The writer’s studies of the alligator at home were conducted 
in the immediate vicinity of the Savannah River, about forty miles 
above the city of Savannah. His work was confined to the river 
low-grounds, a vast tract teeming with reptiles. Alligators were 
found in isolated pools and small lakes, the larger examples gen- 
erally in the larger bodies of water. Over a great part of this 
country it was difficult to distinguish firm ground from the swamp, 
as masses of water hyacinths and rushes flourished in luxurious 
profusion. 
Over terra-firma itself the going was exceedingly difficult, com- 
pelling us to tear our way through thorny bushes, or masses of 
cane, eight to ten feet high. In August the heat was intense, the 
temperature frequently reaching 105 degrees F. in the shade, and 
