286 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



Photo by W. B. 



FIG. 98. YOUNG ALLIGATORS MOUNTED FOR SALE 



hands into a basin of water, where he dived and swam fran- 

 tically, the banging of the tail-suspended shell against the 

 tin frightening the newly hatched reptile, and conveying a 

 first impression of the world as a fearsome, undesirable place. 

 He blinked, rose to the surface, shook off the egg shell, and 

 turning sideways snapped at a spot of sunlight. For a day 

 and night, the past twenty-four hours, only the snout had 

 projected. In three seconds more the whole being of the 

 perfect gatorling was functioning, fully launched on what 

 would normally be a long and checkered career. 



The mother alligator goes to the nests with the young, 

 and while some swim away and are lost, or forage for them- 

 selves, yet many female 'gators are seen at other times of 



