ALLIGATOR, CROCODILE SEA HORSE, ETC. 187 



crocodiles are said to swim about in large shoals in the 

 rivers ; a negro will kill one at a single blow, by stabbing 

 it on the belly where the skin is soft and flexible. It is 

 said, that in some parts of Africa, crocodiles are tamed. 



THE ALLIGATOR 



Very much resembles the crocodile. It is an inhabitant of 

 the warmer parts of the New Continent, where it frequents 

 rivers, lying in wait for the cattle and other animals, and 

 is found in all the rivers of a sufficient size, both near the 

 coast and inland. 



THE TANGETIC CROCODILE 



Differs much from the preceding species in the form of its 

 head, and its covering, but resembles them in habits. 



SCINKS, WITH ROUND FISH-LIKE SCALES. 



The Officinal Scink is a native of many parts of the 

 east ; it abounds in Lybia, Syria, Egypt, and Arabia, where 

 it frequents sands soils. Its length is about six or seven 

 inches, or even more ; its head is small, its body thick and 

 round, its tail short. The colour of this animal is a pale 

 yellowish brown, with a few dusky bands across the back, 

 it is covered with large fish-like scales of an oily appear- 

 ance. It is a harmless animal, feeding on insects ; it 

 burrows in the sand with great rapidity, and, like many 

 other species, is very abundant in the deserts of the East. 

 It was formerly much valued as a medicine ; the Arabs 

 still ascribe to it powerful healing qualities. 



THE SEA HORSE. 



THIS is a small fish of a curious shape. The length 

 seldom reaches twelve inches ; the head bears some 

 resemblance to that of a horse, whence originates its name. 



