THE CROdODlLfe. l^J 



fobn as he approaches the crocodile, he prefcnts his left arm, which the 

 animal fwallows moft greedily; but {ticking in its throat, the negro has 

 time to give it feveral ftabs under the neck ; the water alfo getting in at the 

 mouth, which is held involuntarily open, the creature is foon bloated and ex- 

 pires. In Siam it is taken by throwing three or four ftrong nets acrofs a ri- 

 ver. When firft taken, it employs the tail, which is the grand inftrument of 

 ftrength, with great force ; but after many unfuccefsful ftruggies, is at 

 laft exhaufted j then the natives approach in boats, and pierce him iti 

 the tender parts till he is weakened with lofs of blood j th^n they tie up 

 his mouth, fallen his head to his tail, bending it like a bow, and tie his 

 feet to the top of his back. Thus brought into fubjeflion, or bred up 

 young, is ufed to entertain the great men of the Eall ; often managed 

 like an horfe j a curb is put into its mouth, and the rider direds it at 

 pleafure. 



In Egypt, and other countries, where the itihabitants are civilized, and 

 the rivers frequented, this animal is folitary and fearful. Far from at- 

 tacking a man, it finks at his approach with precipitation. In fome 

 places, mftcad of being formidable, is not only inoffenfive, but cheriflied. 

 In the river San Domingo, the crocodiles are quiet and gentle ; the chil- 

 dren play with them, and ride about on their backs j fometimes even beat 

 them without receiving injury. The inhabitants are very careful of this 

 breed, and confider them as harmlefs domeftics. 



Crocodile's flefli is at beft very bad, tough eating; butunlefs the mufk- 

 bags be feparated, it is infupportable. The negroes themfelves cannot 

 well digeft the flefli: but a crocodile's egg is a moft delicate morfcl to 

 them. 



Breeds near frefti waters. To depofit her brood, the female always 

 pitches on an extenfive fandy (hore, flielving to the water, for the greater 

 convenience of accefs, and near the edge of the ftream, that the young may 

 have a lliorter way to the water. The prefence of a man, a beaft, or a 

 bird, deters her at that time] and fhe infallibly returns. If all is fafe, 

 ihe begins by fcratching up the fand with her fore-paws, and making 

 a hole pretty deep. There fhe depofits her eggs, of the fize of a 

 tennis-ball, covered with a tough white (kin like parchment. Lays 

 twice or thrice, at fome days interval, from twenty to twenty-four 

 eggs at each laying. Begins in April. She covers them clofe up in the 

 fand, and they are vivified by the heat of the fun in about thirty days. 

 The young crocodile is folded on itfelf in the egg j about fix or feven 

 inches long. They quickly arail themfelves of their liberty ^ and run to 



3 the 



