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CROCODILES. 



is more elongated and slender than in any of its congeners, its length not unfre- 

 quently exceeding three times its basal width ; the bony union between the two 

 branches of the lower jaw being likewise of unusual length. In form the snout is 

 convex, and devoid of ridges ; while the region of the forehead is remarkable for 

 its convexity. The great peculiarity about the species is, however, to be found in 

 the arrangement of the bony plates on the neck, which form two longitudinal rows, 

 and are partially if not completely continuous with those of the back ; a some- 

 what similar arrangement existing in Johnston's crocodile. On the back the 



LONG-NOSED CROCODILE (^ nat. size). 



number of longitudinal rows of shields is six ; and the lower parts of the legs, as in 

 many other crocodiles, are furnished with a jagged horny fringe. In colour the 

 head is olive spotted with brown ; the back and tail have a brownish yellow 

 ground-colour, with large black spots, while the yellowish white under-parts are 

 marked with smaller white spots. In length this species reaches some 18 feet. 



The long-snouted crocodile is found in the rivers and marshes of West Africa, 

 from Senegambia to the Gabun, and also occurs farther to the south in the Congo ; 

 its native name being khinh. Not unfrequently found in company with the Nile 

 crocodile, it inhabits the smaller streams and still waters of the interior, generally 





