BOOK III. CH A P. VIII. 869! 



Sea crabs [w], Wilk, 



Lobfler, Conch, 



Shriinp.iiari) , Mufcic, 



White cockle. Soldier or hermit. 



.Jndi 0-.. 3'3' Animals of prey...-. r- 



.bod) lo 3bni>i Marine ■• 'i»'\h o^ Shark. : 



Terreftrial , None properly fo called. 



314. Amphibious Alligator. 



The alligator is a fluggifh, timorous animal, never venturing far 

 beyond the margin of the- water, ealily difcovered when on Ihore 

 by its mufky fmell, and as cafily avoided, from the great difHculty 

 with which it turns itfelf to the right or left; in the water it is 

 foon maftered by the Negroes, fome of whom are very dextrous, 

 and attack and defeat it in its favourite element. 



In the morning and evening, thefe animals bafk in the funfliine 

 upon fand-heaps in retired places, on the banks of rivers, near the 

 fea; for they are not found in the mountain rivers, nor at any con- 

 fiderable diftance from the (liore. Sometimes they feem to float in 

 a dog's-fleep, keeping their heads juft half raifed above the furface 

 of the water, with one eye fliut, the other open ; or hold their jaws 

 extended, to admit the mufkeeto's, and when a fufficient number 

 are coUedled, fuddenly enclofe and gulp them down, as a child does 

 carraway comfits. The pupil of their eye refembles that of a cat, 

 in form, as it likewife does in refped: to its dilatation into a circular 

 figure in the dark. Between the times of their ordinary refpiratioa 

 when on fliore, there was obferved an interval of one minute, to 

 one and a half. Their movements are extremely flow, the conle- 

 quence probably of the inert circulation of the blood and other 

 fluids, as we obferve in regard to the turtle. They pay no attention 

 to a perfon gently and gradually approaching them ; but a fudden 

 agitation of the body, or a loud noife, difl:urbs and terrifies them. 

 It is not yet known what thei'r principal food confifts of. They 

 feed on the water-apples; but as thefe are only in feafon during 



[fiv] The crab aud lob'fter are' mucli fmnller than the European ; the former is ver}' indi'rercnt 

 me;it, but the latier agreeable to moil: palates, iind very delicate : the (hrimp is excellent. The 

 reft are principally uled in pepperpots, and efteC'iied very relilhing and whole fome ingredients. 



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