NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK HOLLISTER 335 



finally caught by the keepers. The large specimen of a related, but 

 much rarer, species from Central America (Chclydra rossignonii) 

 Avas collected by Dr. Wm. M. Mann in Honduras. 



ALLIGATORS 



The common alligator of the Southern States {Alligator missis- 

 sippiensis) is well known to a large proportion of our people ; thou- 

 sands of the young have been carried by tourists from Florida to all 

 parts of the United States. The species formerly was abundant in 

 fresh-water streams and swamps throughout its range — north to 

 North Carolina and west through the humid portions of Texas. In 

 all of the more accessible and settled portions this reptile has suffered 

 greatly from hunters, professional and amateur; and in most parts 

 of its former range it is now a rare thing to see an alligator of any 

 size. In some of the streams and swamps of the wilder places within 

 the Gulf States, however, it is still possible to find alligators from 

 6 to 8 or 9 feet in length ; but the 10 to 16 foot reptiles are practically 

 gone. 



The nest of the alligator has frequently been described to me by 

 old residents in Florida as resembling the nests made by the wild 

 " razorback " hogs of that country. It is a great mound of muck, 

 grass, moss, and sticks; placed in a retired spot, and is said sometimes 

 to be carefully guarded by the female. The numerous eggs are 

 hatched by heat generated by the rotting vegetation. 



THE LIZARDS 



Most of the American lizards are graceful and innocent creatures 

 and many are beautifully colored. They are as much a delight to 

 students of reptiles as our warblers are to the ornithologists. There 

 are, however, two large species found in the Southwest and in Mex- 

 ico which are dangerous reptiles. They are known as the beaded 

 or tuberculated lizards, are sluggish creatures inhabiting arid situ- 

 ations, and are the only known poisonous lizards. 



The Gila monster* {Heloderma suspectum) is known only from 

 portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and southern Nevada. It 

 is a comparatively large species, growing to 20 inches or more in 

 length. In color it is brown or blackish, marked with numerous 

 rings and blotches of yellow or orange. The upper parts are heavily 

 beaded or tuberculated; the tail is fat and stumpy, and the reptile 

 presents altogether a dangerous and terrifying appearance. On ac- 

 count of his notorious disposition and because of his poisonous bite, 

 the Gila monster is much dreaded by residents of the region in which 

 he lives, and the several specimens on exhibition attract great at- 

 tention. The poison glands are situated on the outer side of the 



