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THE COW AND THE CROCODILE 



Crocodiles are found in nearly every large river all over 

 the tropics ; they are of immense length, sometimes 

 reaching as much as twenty feet and upwards, and are 

 covered with a thick, scaly hide which renders them 

 almost invulnerable. Not only is their throat very large, 

 but it is capable of expansion, so that a crocodile can 

 with ease swallow a small person or animal whole, though, 

 in the case of a larger victim, its snapping jaws and immense 

 teeth can bite through a human bone, or any equally hard 

 obstacle, as clean and sharp as though it had been cut 

 with a knife. These huge teeth are sixty- eight in number, 

 thirty-four in each jaw. They are very long and sharp, and 

 those of the upper and lower jaws interlock, so that woe 

 betide any person seized upon by them ; there is no 

 possibility of escape, or, if by good fortune he be rescued, 

 he will certainly leave a limb behind him in the jaws of 

 the devourer. 



It is a mistake to suppose, as many persons do, that 

 the crocodile immediately consumes its victim ; in the 

 case of small animals, such as dogs and fawns, this may 

 be so. Large animals, however, when seized, are dragged 

 beneath the surface of the water, held there till drowned, 

 then borne off to some favourite hiding-place, there to be 

 eaten at leisure. The fore-feet of the crocodile are 

 shaped much like a short human hand, armed in place 

 of fingers with five long horny claws, which hold the 

 prey whilst tearing it with the teeth. 



