i88 THE WALKS ABROAD OF 



cccodille), "also called the alligator, of the river Nile, 

 whose proverbial ferocity has been related by many 

 travellers." 



"Another mistake," muttered Leon; "crocodile 

 and alligator are two very distinct creatures." 



" In these distant countries, woe to whoever allows 

 himself to be surprised by this terrible amphibian ! 

 For the crocodile of the Nile seizes its prey between 

 its fearful jaws, and dives to the depths of the waters 

 to devour it." 



Then, in the same voice with which she had addressed 

 the lion, " Come now, give us a laugh," she said, and 

 struck the terrific jaws with her stick. 



The saurian moved a little in its bath, opened its 

 eyes, and commenced to yawn, making a noise some- 

 thing like a steam-engine letting off steam. This was 

 all that the most persevering scholastic efforts of the 

 tamers had been able to teach it. 



The girl rapidly covered up the bath with some 

 planks, and turning her back to this not very fascin- 

 ating subject, continued her description. 



" After the animals of the torrid zone, we come to 

 the bear of the polar regions. Captured on an ice- 

 berg." 



" Come away," said the doctor. 



They made their exit, leaving the tamer to celebrate 

 in hyperbolic fashion the proverbial ferocity of the 

 polar bear. 



