548 AMPHIBIA LA. 



above with an upright process, formed by the gradual approxima- 

 tion of two elevated crests proceeding from the lower part of the 

 back. 



The crocodile, in a young state, is by no means to be dreaded, 

 its small size and weakness preventing 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 occasionally been brought 

 to Europe are so far from being formidable or ferocious, (hat they 

 may generally be handled with impunity ; and either from weak- 

 ness, or the effect of a cold climate, seem much inclined to tor- 

 pidity ; but in the glowing regions of Africa, where it arrives at 

 Hs full strength and power, it is justly regarded as the most for- 

 midable 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 hunger again invites it to its prey. 

 In its manner of attack it is exactly imitated by the common la- 

 certa palustris, or water newt, which, though not more than about 

 four or five inches long, will with the greatest ease swallow an in- 

 sect 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 dis- 

 tance, springs with the utmost celerity on the insect, and swallows 

 it. If, therefore, a small lizard of four or five inches only in length 

 can thus instantaneously 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 01 

 other quadruped. 



Crocodiles, like the rest of the lacertse, are oviparous : they 

 deposit their eggs in the sand or mud, near or on the banks of the 

 rivers they frequent, and the young, when hatched, immediately 

 proceed to the water j but the major part are said to be commonly 

 devoured by other animals, as ichneumons, birds, &c. The egg 

 of the common or Nilotic crocodile is not much larger than that of 

 a goose, and in external appearance bears a most perfect resem- 

 blance to that of a bird ; being covered with a calcareous shell, 

 under which is a membrane. When the young are first excluded, 

 the head bears a much larger proportion to the body than when 

 full grown. The eggs, as well as the flesh of the crocodile itself, 



