ALLIGATORS, OR CAIMANS. 



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sometimes Caiman. The Alligators, or Caimans (Alligator Lucius'), 

 are Saurians of huge bulk ; with a long flat head, thick neck and 

 body, a cavernous mouth suggestive of infinite voracity, dull cruel 

 eyes, and a long taper tail, which, strongly compressed on the sides, 

 is surmounted with a double series of strong plates, that unite about 

 the middle, and form a single row to the extremity. It is this tail 

 that gives them most of their progressive power in the water, and 

 though it obstructs their movements on land, it is useful even then as 



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a powerful weapon of defence. Transverse rows of square bony plates, 

 rising in the centre into keel-shaped ridges, protect the body, and 

 render the hideous animal exceedingly formidable as an antagonist. 

 It frequently attains the length of eighteen, and is seldom less than 

 fifteen feet. Its teeth are numerous, sharp, and strong ; its claws 

 long and tenacious. It feeds generally on fish, turtle, fowl, or what- 

 ever other prey may fall within its reach ; and woe to the unfortunate 

 animal that comes to the river-bank in quest of water within the 

 range of this ferocious saurian. 



