MATERNAL AFFECTION OF CROCODILES. 2 I 5 



the unfortunate creature lashed the water around 

 her into a framework of foam, then all was still, and 

 the carcass disappeared like a foundering ship going 

 down by her head or stern. 



My men soon exhumed the anticipated treasures ; 

 they were thirty in number, which they would there 

 and then, after the manner of all the natives, have 

 commenced cooking, had I not peremptorily placed 

 a veto upon such a course. A difficulty now arose 

 regarding how they were to be conveyed to the raft, 

 and thence home, so I lent mv lone: Scotch woollen 

 stockings for the purpose. They answered admir- 

 ably ; but blistered insteps resulted to me for my 

 complaisance. 



Sunday informs me that crocodiles have two 

 nests, and that thirty-five is about the average of 

 eggs deposited in each ; that they take about two 

 lunar months to hatch, when the mother returns and 

 exhumes her progeny, leads them to the water, and 

 remains in charge of them for such a time, as is 

 necessary to pass, before the youngsters are able to 

 take care of themselves. The reader will thus see 

 that there are some "good points" even about 

 saurians. 



Again the river extended in width, and reeds 

 and water lilies margined its edges. These fairly 

 swarmed with coots (Fulica cristata), jacanas, and 

 starlings, but the last-mentioned do not appear to 

 enjoy a life of uninterrupted happiness, for hawks 



