ARMOUR OF THE ALLIGATOR. 293 



By some etymologists the name is supposed to be de- 

 rived from the Spanish term el legarto, while others 

 assert that it is a corruption or modification of the 

 Indian word legateer. 



The alligator does not differ in any important respect 

 from the crocodile of the East, though, of course, there 

 are a few minor distinctions. In the opinion of Cuvier 

 it is not a distinct genus, but a sub-genus of crocodile, 

 differino' from the last-named animal in habitat, but 

 agreeing with it in all the essential parts of its structure 

 and economy. 



The alligator lives and thrives best in dense swamps, 

 where stagnant water, confined air, and decaying vege- 

 tation engender a foul miasma that would destroy 

 almost anything save the poisonous snake and the gTeat 

 water lizard. As his thick armour defends him from all 

 weapons except the rifle bullet, he moves about his 

 domain without experiencing a sensation of fear. The 

 vast boa constrictor mis^ht twine his coils in vain 

 attempts to crush him, the rattle-snake would waste its 

 poison long before its fangs penetrated that scaly hide, 

 while even the American wild hog, or peccary — an 

 animal which fearlessly attacks and destrovs snakes of 

 all kinds — oives the alliorator a wide berth. Nor is it the 

 slightest use for a mosquito, or any stinging insect, to 

 buz round and attempt to torment him ; he will simply 

 open his mouth and catch the little torments by hun- 

 dreds, seeming to enjoy the sport rather than otherwise. 



