2380 CROCODILES, DINOSAURS, AND FLYING DRAGONS 



all other species, one specimen being recorded which reached the enormous length 

 of thirty-three feet. 



In correspondence with its gigantic size, this crocodile appears to be one of the 

 most formidable members of its kind, being exceedingly prone to attack human 

 beings, more especially in the breeding season, which takes place during June 

 and July, when it is stated to attack such small boats as may cross its haunts. 

 Owing to its depredations, these crocodiles are cordially detested as well as feared 

 by the natives of India, and at Dacca, on the north of the Bay of Bengal, 

 crocodile hunting is pursued as a profession. The following account of the pursuit 

 of one of these monsters which had recently carried off a boy is abridged from a 

 native newspaper. The hunter, having been summoned, moored his canoe hard by 

 the place where the tragedy had taken place, it being well known that a crocodile 

 which has been successful in securing a victim will generally remain for some days 

 about the spot. Soon the crocodile was descried floating on the water, whereupon 

 the hunter and assistant hid themselves in the canoe, while the son of the former 

 entered the water, which he commenced to beat with his hands. Catching sight 

 of the boy, the crocodile prepared to dive toward him, upon which the boy took 

 refuge in the canoe. In a moment or so the reptile rose to the surface at the 

 expected spot, where he was saluted with a couple of harpoons, one of which 

 secured a firm hold. After a long chase, in which a number of the inhabitants 



of the village took part in 

 boats, a second harpoon was 

 safely planted in the head of 

 the monster, who was finally 

 dragged to shore. When 

 opened, several gold and sil- 

 ver ornaments the relics of 

 earlier victims were found 

 in his stomach. In Ceylon, 

 according to Sir J. E. Ten- 

 nent, crocodiles are frequently 

 captured by means of a hook 

 and line, which are laid over 

 night in the water, and made 

 fast, in the native fashion, by 

 a bunch of fine cords. These 

 cords becoming fixed between 

 the interstices of the creature's 



teeth, are safe from being bitten through, and in the morning the captive is dragged 

 ashore and dispatched. It may be added that when thus captured, crocodiles emit a 

 disagreeable musky smell, due to the secretion of a pair of glands in the lower jaw. / 



Formerly inhabiting the Nile from its mouth to its source, the Nile 



crocodile (C. niloticus), from the invasion of its haunts by steam 



vessels and the introduction of rifles, has now well-nigh disappeared from Egypt, 



even as far back as the year 1870 being but rarely seen below Beni Hassan, and not 



NILE CROCODILE. 



