NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



How taken by the Javanese in Siam. 



line,, a circumstance that at first would seem al- 

 most incredible, since they are able, with great 

 ease, to bite asunder the strongest rope. These 

 people therefore use a very loosely twisted cord 

 of cotton, at the end of which a hook is fastened, 

 baited with raw flesh. When the crocodile, after 

 having swallowed the hook, endeavors to bite 

 the cord asunder, his teeth only separate the 

 fibres, and all his attempts are of no avail. 

 When he is found to be fastened, his antagonists 

 come upon him in great numbers, and, with the 

 weapons they have for the purpose, soon destroy 

 him. In other parts of the world, these animals 

 are hunted by means of strong dogs properly 

 trained and armed with spiked collars. 



Crocodiles are taken in Siam by the natives 

 placing three or four strong nets across a river, 

 at proper distances from each other; so that, if 

 the animal break through the first, he may be 

 caught in some of the others. When he finds 

 himself fastened, he lashes every thing around 

 ,him with great violence with his enormous tail. 

 After he has struggled some time, and is become 

 exhausted, the men approach in boats, and pierce 

 him with their spears in the most tender parts of 

 his body. 



According to Labat, a negro armed only with 

 a knife in his right hand, and having his left 

 wrapped round with thick leather, will venture 

 boldly to attack the crocodile in his own element. 

 As soon as he observes his enemy near, the 



