COMMON CROCODILE. 187 



venting it from being able to injure any of the 

 larger animals : it, therefore, contents itself with 

 fish and other small prey ; and such as have occa- 

 sionally been brought to Europe are so far from 

 being formidable or ferocious, that they may ge- 

 nerally be handled with impunity, and either from 

 weakness, or the effect of a cold climate, seem 

 much inclined to torpidity ; but in the glowing 

 regions of Africa, where it arrives at its full 

 strength and power, it is justly regarded as the 

 most formidable inhabitant of the rivers. It lies 

 in wait near the banks, and snatches dogs and 

 other animals, swallowing them instantly, and 

 then plunging into the flood, and seeking some 

 retired part, where it may lie concealed till hun- 

 ger again invites it to its prey. In its manner 

 of attack it is exactly imitated by the common 

 Lacerta palustris, or Water Xewt, which, though 

 not more than about four or five inches lono- will 



O' 



with the greatest ease swallow an insect of more 

 than an inch in length ; and that at one single effort, 

 and with a motion so quick, that the eye can 

 scarcely follow it. It poises itself in the water, 

 and having gained a convenient distance, springs 

 with the utmost celerity on the insect, and swal- 

 lows it. If, therefore, a small lizard of four or 

 five inches only in length can thus instantane- 

 ously swallow an animal of a fourth part of its 

 own length, we need not wonder that a Crocodile 

 of eighteen, twenty, or twenty-five feet long 

 should suddenly ingorge a dog or other qua- 

 druped. 



