THE ALLIGATOR. 



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them. Though timid, as are most reptiles as long as their passions are not touched, 

 the Alligator has within it a very mine of furious rage, which, when aroused, knows no 

 fear. Urged by a blind instinct that sees no obstacles and hardly deserves so intellectual 

 a name as anger, it flings itself upon the assailants, and only ceases its attack as its last 

 breath is drawn. 



No easy matter is it to drive the breath out of an Alligator, for its life seems to take 

 a separate hold of every fibre in the creature's body, and though pierced through and 

 through with bullets, crushed by heavy blows, and its body converted into a very pin- 

 cushion, spears taking the place of the pins, it writhes and twists, and struggles with 

 wondrous strength, snapping direfully with its huge jaws, and lashing its muscular tail 

 from side to side with such vigor that it takes a bold man to venture within range of 

 that terrible weapon. 



It is fortunate for the assailant that its head is not gifted with mobility equal to that 

 of the tail. The Alligator can only turn its head very slightly indeed, on account of two 

 bony projections, one on each side of the head, which are efficient obstacles to any but 



ALLIGATOR. Alligator Mlsslssipeasis. 



the smallest lateral motion. The antagonist may therefore easily escape if on land, by 

 springing aside before the reptile can turn. He must, however, beware of its tail, for the 

 Alligator when angry, sweeps right and left with that powerful member, and deals the 

 most destructive blows with wonderful rapidity. Still, the creature would rather avoid 

 than seek a combat, and does not act in this fashion until driven to despair. 



In some parts of America they catch the Alligator in a very ingenious manner. An 

 ordinary hook is said to be of little service against such a quarry, and the natives employ 

 a kind of mixture between a hook and grapnel which very effectually answers their 

 purpose. This so-called hook is made of four sticks of hard tough wood barbed at each 

 end, slightly curving and bound together at one end so as to cause all the upper barbs to 

 radiate from each other. This apparatus is baited with the flesh of some animal, and 

 suspended just about a foot from the water, the other end of the rope being made fast 

 to a tree or strong stake. 



As soon as the Alligator takes this bait and begins to pull at the cord, the barbs begin 

 to make their way into its throat, and it is evident from the construction of the hook that 

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