THE REPTILES 253 



is in the breeding season also that their bellowing is mostly heard, 

 and more in the night than during the day. The largest specimen 

 I saw measured 12 feet in length ; and none of the many hunters 

 and other natives of Florida I have met have seen any longer 

 than 13 feet." 



Another extract from the same author throws very interesting 

 light upon the results that are being produced by the war of exter- 

 mination carried on against the alligators, results that can hardly 

 be classed as beneficial : " The alligators are rapidly diminishing 

 in numbers under the high prices offered to the hunters for their 

 hides. Both whites and Indians make increasing war upon them. 

 The pioneers and settlers always destroy the nests and eggs because 

 the alligators eat their pigs ; and the cleaned eggs and young 

 alligators are sold by hundreds in the curio shops farther north. 

 As their numbers diminish in Florida it is noticed that the moc- 

 casin snakes increase. In Louisiana also the alligators are dis- 

 appearing ; and there the musk-rats are at the same time in- 

 creasing, and are doing much damage by burrowing in the levees 

 along the Mississippi. While the alligator can make a very stout 

 fight, I have never seen one offer fight if there was any chance of 

 retreat. They never offered to molest us, even when we waded 

 through the ponds where they were." 



The Lizards are very numerous, and present much diversity 

 of shape and habits. Some resemble the crocodiles, but have 

 neither their bony-plate armour nor their socket-implanted teeth. 

 Others resemble the Common Lizard, and the rest are more or 

 less limbless. All, however, have a more or less perfect shoulder- 

 girdle and sternum, and four limbs are generally, though not 

 invariably, present. The European Green Lizard makes an inter- 

 esting pet, and is very beautiful with its fine colour, slender body, 

 and long tail. It soon becomes tame, coming on to the hand in 

 the most confiding manner for such dainties as a meal-worm or 

 nice fat bluebottle-fly. Care is necessary in handling the lizard, 

 and on no account should the tail be suddenly grasped, or it is 

 almost certain to part company from its owner, and will continue 

 to show movement for some time after it has become detached. 

 The loss of a portion of the tail does not seem seriously to disturb 

 the lizard, and in due course is reproduced. 



The Monitors are all large lizards frequenting warm countries 



