284 CROCODILES. 



to say, there is no danger when the waters are 

 splashed and a noise is made. This is explained 

 by the cowardice of the crocodile, which by no 

 means invalidates the fact of its voracity. 



If gunshots, shouts, and stones cast into the water 

 can intimidate the crocodile, put him to flight, and 

 make him abandon the prey which he has already 

 seized, surely a serious war made upon him would have 

 the effect of curing him of his desire for mischief. 



The Tentyrites arrived at this result. " The 

 hunters," says ^Elian, "make such a furious war 

 upon them, that the river, cleared of this brigand, 

 flows through the country in profound peace ; and 

 the riverains trust themselves with safety to swim 

 in its waters, and much enjoy the exercise/* 



In lieu of cramming the crocodiles, as the people of 

 San Domingo do, or hunting them like the Tentyrites, 

 man sometimes carries his folly even to the extent 

 of regarding crocodiles as gods, and esteems himself 

 honoured in being swallowed by them ; and these beasts 

 will never refuse to accord him that distinction. At 

 Ombros, Coptos, and Arsinoe, where this superstition 

 flourished, "one could not with any comfort wash one's 

 feet in the river, draw water, or even walk on the 

 banks, without being always on the look-out." 



Wherever man has neglected, or has not had occa- 



