HABITS. 243 



are the most aquatic, a fact which could only be dis- 

 covered by an inspection of the hind-legs. In the 

 gavial, the toes of the hind-feet are webbed to the tip, 

 and these feet are denticulated the whole length of the 

 external side : they are evidently intended to perform 

 the functions of fins ; whereas with the caymans, not 

 only does this denticulation not exist, but the toes are 

 only webbed half their length. 



Elvers which overflow, and whose shores are covered 

 with mud, marshy lakes, swampy savannahs these 

 are their favourite haunts. It is said that the gavial 

 sometimes quits the waters of the Ganges, and will 

 venture almost into the sea. 



All are carnivorous and extremely voracious. Living- 

 stone says that they generally seek their prey at- night ; 

 Du Chaillu reports that they do so in the morning 

 and evening; but the upshot shows clearly that the 

 crocodilian appetite is equally good at all hours of day 

 or night. 



Hidden amongst the aquatic plants or squatting in 

 the mud, at other times motionless on the surface of 

 the water, or floating silently, like the trunks of trees, 

 stranded on the mud, or carried on by the current, they 

 await patiently their prey, or they go to meet it with 

 their jaws extended, their eyes sweeping the liquid 

 expanse and its muddy shores. " One does not see 

 the slightest motion," says Plumier. " We perceive that 



B 2 



