44 CROCODILES. 



plates on the belly are thin, smooth, and square, and arranged in 

 transverse bands. 



15. These large and powerful animals inhabit the hottest parts 

 of both continents, and ordinarily keep in fresh water rivers and 

 lakes. Their gait is usually slow ; though they can swim with ex- 

 treme rapidity, and run very swiftly in a straight line, but, owing 

 to the disposition of the vertebra of the neck, it is difficult for them 

 to change their direction : hence, it is easy to avoid them by turn- 

 ing or running around them. They are very carnivorous, and 

 formidable even for man. They cannot swallow in the water ; 

 but they generally drag their prey there to drown, and, it is said, 

 they deposit it in some hole to putrify before eating it. 



16. These animals, notwithstanding, they are so formidable, 

 and so well furnished with protective armour, have foes to dread, 

 and these enemies are feeble insects, a sort of ant, which intro- 

 duce themselves into their mouth, in immense numbers, the 

 moment they go on shore, and torment them with their stings ; 

 but, what is very singular, little birds often come to deliver them 

 from this scourge, and enter their great mouth without fear, in 

 pursuit of the insects. This fact, observed by Herodotus, and 

 afterwards treated as a fable, has been confirmed in modern times, 

 by Geoffrey Saint Hilaire, who accompanied the Emperor Napo- 

 leon in Egypt. A species of Plover performs this interesting 

 service for the crocodile of the Nile, and in the West Indies, the 

 Tody has a similar habit. 



17. The family of crocodilida is composed of three genera, 

 namely : Crocodiles properly so called, Caimans, or J%lligators t 

 and Gavials: 



simply notched on 1 



each side to receive ! CROCODILES 



the fourth tooth of j Properly so called. 



s 







wide, and the 

 whole head 4 

 oblong ; the 

 upper jaw 



the lower jaw. J 



with a hole on each ^ 

 side to receive the ! p 



fourth tooth of the f 

 L lower jaw. J 



slender, and very much elongated, ^ GA VIALS. 



18. CROCODILES PROPERLY so CALLED, Crocodilus, have an 

 oblong and depressed muzzle, unequal teeth, and the upper jaw 



15. What regions do Croc6diles inhabit? 



16. What are the great enemies of Crocodiles ? 



17. What genera compose the family of Crocodilians ? 



18. What are the general characters of Crocodiles properly so called? 

 Where are they found ? What are their habits ? 



