34 THE MARGINED CROCODILE. 



concavity of the forehead, and the strong keels of the dorsal, or back plates. I am indebted 

 to Captain Drayson, author of " Sporting Scenes among the Kaffirs," for the following account 

 of the Margined Crocodile and its habits, from which it appears that the reptile is formidable 

 not only to the creatures on which it usually feeds, but to man himself : 



"About two or three miles from the Bay of Natal there is a river called the Umganie ; 

 into this river a lake called the Sea-cow Lake empties itself. The lake was, during my resi- 

 dence at Natal, the retreat of several hippopotami and Crocodiles, both of which were in the 

 habit of treking into the Umganie River. Often, when riding round the banks of this lake, I 

 have disturbed two or three Crocodiles, which were stealing amongst the reeds and long grass, 



/a. 



AMERICAN CROCODILE. CrocodUui amerlcanui. 



in hope of stalking a fat toad, or a sleepy guana. Sometimes a scaly reptile might be awak- 

 ened from his dose by the sound of my horse's feet, and would rush through the long reeds 

 towards his retreat. Their movement is much more rapid than would be supposed from their 

 appearance, and they care nothing for a fall head over tail, but almost fling themselves down 

 the steep banks when alarmed. 



"On the banks of the Umganie were several Kaffir kraals, in one of which resided a man 

 who had been roughly treated by a Crocodile. This man, seeing me pass his residence, called 

 to me, and asked as a favor that I would watch at a particular part of the river until I shot a 

 rascally Crocodile that had nearly killed him. The Crocodile, he informed me, always made 

 its appearance about sundown, and he hinted that a position might be selected so that the sun 

 would dazzle the Crocodile and prevent him from seeing me. Finding that I was willing to 

 gratify his revenge, he limped out of the inclosure surrounding his huts, and offering me his. 

 snuff -gourd, he, at my request, gave me the following account of his escape. 



