302 DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM. 



of aquatic plants, exposing only the extremity of 

 its nose, which from its length resembles a pro- 

 boscis; in this position it awaits the approach 

 of young birds and small aquatic animals, which 

 it seizes as they pass near it. The testudofimbria 

 differs from all other species in this respect, that 

 its mouth, which is very wide, instead of being 

 terminated by a horny substance, is formed with 

 fleshy lips as in batracians. 



Let us now examine the reptiles belonging to 

 the order of the saurians, which are attached to 

 the ceiling or the wall. The largest is the croco- 

 dile of the Nile, which it appears, inhabits also the 

 rivers of Africa, and even those of Madagascar. 

 The length of the specimen we see nere is 1 3 feet, 

 but they are sometimes found 25 feet long. Both 

 on account of its strength and its voracity the 

 crocodile is the most dangerous of all the ani- 

 mals of this order ; its enormous mouth, ex- 

 tremely wide and extending beyond the e&rs, is 

 armed with conical teeth ; it is covered all over 

 with an impenetrable coat of mail, and it is im- 

 possible to wound it, except in the belly, or in 

 the intervals between the scales of its cuirass. 

 They are seen in great numbers on the banks of 

 rivers, sometimes they lie on the shore, and some- 

 times keep concealed under the water with 

 their nose out, and ready to dart with rapidity 



