70 THE STORY OF REPTILE LIFE. 



sequence of this persecution, it is interesting to 

 note that as their numbers diminish in Florida 

 the Mocassin snakes increase ; whilst in Louisiana, 

 where they are also rapidly decreasing, the musk- 

 rats are at the same time increasing and doing 

 much damage by their burrowing. 



In the spring and early summer months, and 

 more especially during cloudy days or in the 

 evening, alligators make much noise, croaking 

 like a bull-frog, but louder. On the approach 

 of winter they retire to holes in the ground, and, 

 passing into a state of torpor, remain till awak- 

 ened by the spring. TV'hilst in this state of 

 helplessness they are eagerly sought for and 

 disinterred by negroes who esteem the tail a 

 great delicacy. 



The Caimans number five species, and are 

 distinguished from the Alligators, among other 

 things, by the armour-plating of scutes along the 

 under surface of the body. 



The traveller-naturalist Bates found the 

 Caimans in myriads in the waters of the Upper 

 Amazon. " It is scarcely exaggerating/' writes 

 Bates, " to say that the waters of the Tolimoens 

 are as well stocked with large alligators in the 

 dry season as a ditch in England is in summer 

 with tadpoles." 



Caimans never attack man when on his guard, 

 I)ut they seem to know when this may be done 

 with impunity. Bates gives several instances in 

 support of this view. While staying at Caicara 

 a large trading canoe arrived, manned by an 

 Indian crew. These fellows, during the first two 

 days after their arrival, spent the time, as was 



