154 NEW. 7 YORK “ZOOLOGICAL “SOCIEMy: 
able for its development, and though it fed well, for a period 
of five years it did not seem to increase in size as much as one 
inch. Previous to that period it had been kept for three years 
by a friend of the writer, who explained that it was about 
sixteen inches long at the time he received it, and that was about 
its size when it was deposited in the Reptile House, seven years 
ago. 
For about a year it showed no increase in size, despite its 
favorable quarters,—a large tank of tepid water. At the expira- 
tion of its first year in the Park it was attacked by a young 
crocodile and badly lacerated. Its abdomen was torn open nearly 
the entire length, through which aperature the intestines pro- 
truded; another big tear on the side disclosed the heart and 
lungs. As this specimen had been in the writer’s possession for 
so long a time he endeavored, with but little hope of success, to 
save its life. The intestines were carefully replaced, and the 
abdominal laceration sewed up. When the tear on the side had 
been similarly treated, the creature was placed in a shallow tank 
of tepid water from which it could not-escape. The treatment was 
as nearly antiseptic as conditions would permit. 
The lacerations rapidly healed, with attendant vigorous 
sloughing. Within ten days the reptile was feeding in normal 
fashion. More remarkable than the reptile’s reconstructive en- 
ergy in healing its great wounds, was the effect upon its subse- 
quent development. At once it began to grow, and at this date 
it is nearly six feet long, and weighs over fifty pounds. 
