BOOK VIII. XXXVII. 90-xxxviii. 93 



which yawns open as wide as possible for the pleasure 

 of this scratching ; and the ichneumon watches for 

 it to be overcome by sleep in the middle of this 

 gratification and darts like a javelin through the 

 throat so opened and gnaws out the belly. 



XXXVIII. A native of the Nile resembUng the Theacincoi. 

 crocodile but smaller even than the ichneumon is the 

 skink," which is an outstanding antidote against 

 poisons, and also an aphrodisiac for males. 



But the crocodile constituted too great a plague Enemies oj 

 for Nature to be content with a single enemy for it. 'tne^^doiphin 

 Accordingly dolphins also, which have on their backs '^^"^the 

 a sharp fin shaped Hke a knife as if for this purpose, tdanders. 

 enter the mouth of the Nile, and when the crocodiles 

 drive them away from their prey and lord it in the 

 river as merely their own domain, kill them by craft, 

 as they are otherwise in themselves no match for 

 them in strength. For all animals are skilful in this, 

 and know not only the things advantageous for them- 

 selves but also those detrimental for their enemies, 

 and are acquainted with their own weapons and 

 recognize their opportunities and the unwarHke parts 

 of their adversaries. The crocodile's hide is soft and 

 thin over the belly ; consequently the dolphins pre- 

 tending to be frightened dive and going under them 

 rip the belly with the spine described. Moreover 

 there is also a tribe of human beings right on the Nile, 

 named* after the Island of Tentyrus*^ on which it 

 dwells, that is hostile to this monster. They are of 

 small stature but have a readiness of mind in this 

 employment only that is remarkable. The creature 

 in question is terrible against those who run away but 

 runs away from those who pursue it. But these men 

 alone dare to go against them ; they actually dive 



67 



