EXISTING CROCODILES 



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the back, and is composed of two or three pairs of plates, of which the anterior ones 

 are very large; while that of the back comprises seventeen transverse rows of plates, 

 the broadest row including six of such plates. The ridges on the plates of the neck 

 are strongly marked, but they become very obscure in the two middle rows of the 

 back. The fore-toes have only rudimentary webs, although those of the hind-limbs 

 are webbed for about half their length. With the exception of parts of the head, 

 tail, and back, which are light brown with black markings, the coloration of the 

 adult is uniform blackish brown. Young specimens are, however, yellowish brown, 

 spotted with black above, and with bars of the same on the body and tail; while the 



STUMPY CROCODILE. 

 (One-twelfth natural size.) 



lower armor is black and yellow. Practically nothing is known as to the habits 

 of this peculiar species, which are, however, probably very similar to those of its 

 allies. 



The true crocodiles comprise rather less than a dozen species, rang- 

 Crocodiles in S over Africa, Southern Asia, Northern Australia, and Tropical 

 America. Having no bony armor on the lower surface of the body, 

 they are distinguished from the caimans and alligators by the interlocking of the 

 upper and lower teeth, and by the fourth lower tooth being usually received into a 



True 



