PELVIS AND HIND-LIMB OF THE CROCODILE. 121 



cuboid and to the base of the fourth metatarsal. The four 

 normal metatarsals are much longer than the correspond- 

 ing metacarpals. That of the first or innermost toe is the 

 shortest and strongest ; it supports two phalanges. The 

 other three metatarsals are of nearly eqnal length, but 

 progressively diminish in thickness from the second to 

 the fourth. The second metatarsal supports three pha- 

 langes ; the third four ; and the fourth also has four pha- 

 langes, but does not support a claw. The fifth digit is 

 represented by a rudiment of its metatarsal in the form of 

 a flattened triangular plate of bone, attached to the outer 

 side of the cuboid, and slightly curved at its pointed and 

 prominent end. 



The forms and proportions of the entire skeleton of the 

 crocodile are adapted to the necessities of an amphibious 

 animal, but minister to much more rapid and energetic 

 movements in water than on land. The short limbs pre- 

 clude the possibility of very quick course along shore ; 

 and the overlapping of the ribs of the neck, whilst en- 

 abling the head the better to cleave the water during the 

 acts of diving or swimming, makes the bending of that 

 part from side to side an act of diflQ.culty and time ; this, 

 it is said, may avail any one pursued by a crocodile on 

 dry land to escape by turning out of the straight course. 

 But the crocodile usually seizes his prey by stratagem or 

 concealment when in or close to the water ; and it is there 

 that he shows himself master of his position, and chiefly 

 by the powerful strokes of his long, large, vertically- 

 flattened tail. 



11 



