Crocodiles. 169 



of them terribly destructive creatures ; the young 1 

 feed principally on fish, but as they grow larger 

 they attack every animal that they can overpower, 

 dragging their prey into the water, and so drowning 

 it. It has been said that more people are killed by 

 crocodiles than by any other of the wild beasts of 

 Africa. To those who wish to know more of this 

 part of the subject we commend Sir S. W. Baker's 

 book mentioned above. The Crocodilia, are, as 

 every one is aware, thoroughly aquatic in their 

 habits, and their peculiar conformation enables 

 them to attack and seize their prey unawares. 

 Their nostrils, which lead by a long canal to the 

 back part of their throats, their eyes and their ears, 

 are placed on the upper part of the head, so that 

 when in the water they can breathe, see, and hear 

 while they are themselves practically invisible. 

 When they dive their nostrils and ears are closed 

 by lids or valves, and their eyes are covered by 

 a transparent nictitating membrane. They are 

 further furnished with an arrangement which 

 prevents the water from getting down their own 

 throats when they are holding large animals under 

 the water to drown them. The dentition of these 

 reptiles is peculiar; the teeth are sharp and conical, 

 and are hollow at the base, and each tooth serves 

 as the sheath of another, which will in time replace 

 it. The tongue for, notwithstanding the ancient 

 belief, the crocodile does possess a tongue is 

 fleshy, and is attached to the bottom of the 

 mouth. And finally the lower jaw is hinged at the 



