314 THE CROCODILE. 



In Entebbe they were met at the pier by government officials, who were 

 introduced to the Americans by Chief Secretary Russell. A guard of honor 

 for the visitors was made up of Indian scheiks. 



Colonel Roosevelt and Kermit entered a motor car and were driven to 

 the government house, where they were entertained by the governor of 

 Uganda. The Colonel said that his trip from Nairobi had been a pleasant 

 one. At Juja the members of the American mission had gathered at the 

 station and welcomed their countrymen. Another demonstration had taken 

 place at Nakuro, where the settlers cheered during the brief stop of the train. 



From Entebbe Colonel Roosevelt and Kermit proceeded by motor car 

 along the splendid sandstone road, built by the English, to Kampala, the 

 native capital of Uganda, at the head of the lake, where they rejoined the 

 others of the party, who in the meantime had arrived by steamer in the 

 best of health and spirits and ready to set forth in search of new conquests. 



But we return to the crocodile. 



I shall treat of the crocodile and alligator in the same chapter, since the 

 habits and general characteristics of one are in great measure similar to the 

 other. During my various journeys it has been my unhappy lot to see eight 

 human beings killed, besides a score mangled by these ferocious creatures. 

 I would sooner attack a lion single-handed than be placed in proximity to 

 one of these man-eating reptiles. The blood-curdling scenes which I have 

 witnessed are still fresh in my memory, and I cannot shake off the feeling of 

 horror they frequently bring to me. These creatures have rightfully been 

 termed the Hon and tiger of the reptile world. 



The crocodile is an inhabitant of the old world, the alligator of the new, 

 and the two animals are best distinguished by the construction of the jaws. 

 In the crocodiles the lower canine teeth fit into a notch in the edge of the 

 upper jaw, and there is in consequence a contraction of the muzzle just 

 behind the nostrils. The lower canine teeth of the alligators fit into a pit 

 in the edge of the upper jaw, and in consequence no contraction is needed. 

 At the back of the throat is a valve completely shutting out water, but leav- 

 ing the passage to the nostrils free, so that the crocodile can keep his mouth 

 open when beneath the surface, without swallowing the water, or can hold 

 his prey to drown under the water, while he breathes at ease with his nostrils 

 at the surface. There is no true tongue. 



The common crocodile inhabits many African rivers, and is, probably, 

 the reptile infesting the Ganges. The Nile, however, is the best known 

 haunt for this terrible creature. 



