BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 875 



the alligator an Innoxious creature, fince we know that they will 

 attack helplefs animals, whicli happen to be unable to get qut of 

 their reach ; fiich as little infants, carelefsly flanding near them, 

 or colts and calves, entangled in the mud and weeds at fome fre- 

 quented watering-place. Though the crocodile lias never been 

 cbferved in any of the rivers in Jamaica, he is found at the Grand 

 Caymanas, the Ifle of Pines, fome of the Cuba lagoons, and is very 

 commonly met with at the Mofquito fhore. How much he differs 

 from the alligator will appear from the following comparifon, of a 

 few particulars only ; but I muft obferve, that there are feveral other 

 diftinilions between them unmentioned. 



Alligator Crocodile. 



Has fixty-eight teeth; two of He is faid to have fixty in fe- 

 which, belonging to the under- veral rows, and ferrated. 

 jaw, are fo long, that he could 

 not poffibly clofe his mouth, if it 

 •were not for two perforations, or 

 holes, in the integument of the 

 upper-jaw, into which they are 

 received, as into a Iheath ; and 

 pafling through, appear above the 

 upper-jaw when his mouth is 

 fhut. 



His head is long and iharp. 



He is naturally Hiy and timo- 

 rous. 



He Is of a dufky-brownlfh 

 hue, except the belly, which is 

 whitlfh, or refembling that of 

 the turtle. 



His legs are extremely fhort. 



His tail is elaftic, and has a 

 naturally horizontal motion, like 

 a fi(h's tail, which anfwcrs the 

 fame purpofe of facilitating his 

 courfe through the water. His 



5T2 



His head is thick, flat, fhorter, 

 and lefs pointed. 



The American is faid to be 

 quite the reverfe. 



The American is faid to be 

 yellow. 



His legs are much longer. 



When he runs on fhore, he 

 carries his tail above the ground, 

 and turns the point of It up like a 

 bow. 



movement 



