CHAP. XIV. MODE OF CATCHING THE CROCODILE. 235 



Of the mode of hunting the crocodile by the 

 Tentyrites, and the skill they possessed in over- 

 coming so powerful an animal, I have aheady 

 spoken ; and have mentioned* the method adopted, 

 according to Herodotus, of catching it with a hook, 

 to which a piece of pork was attached as a bait. 

 But I ought not to omit another mode practised at 

 the present day. They fasten a dog upon a log of 

 wood, to the middle of which is tied a rope of suf- 

 ficient length, protected by iron wire, or other 

 substance, to prevent its being bitten through ; and 

 having put this into the stream, or on a sand bank 

 at the edge of the water, they lie concealed near 

 the spot, and await the arrival of the crocodile. 

 As soon as it has swallowed the dog, they pull 

 the rope, which brings the stick across the ani- 

 mal's throat. It endeavours to plunge into deep 

 water, but is soon fatigued by its exertions, and is 

 drawn ashore ; when, receiving several blows on 

 the head with long poles and hatchets, it is easily 

 killed. 



It is now seldom eaten, the flesh being bad ; but 

 its hide is used, especially by the Ethiopians, for 

 shields and other purposes : the glands are taken 

 from beneath the arm or fore leg, for the musk they 

 contain ; and some parts are occasionally dried and 

 used as philters. In former times it seems rather 

 to have been eaten as a mark of hatred to the 

 Evil Being, of whom it was the emblem, than as 

 an article of food t ; but those who by religious 



* Vide Yo\. III. p. 76. and 80. f Diodor. i, 35. 



