142 SAUEIANS. 



sharp that they perforate the edge of the upper jaw and appear 

 above the muzzle when the mouth is closed. The lower jaw alone 

 is movable, and that only in a downward movement. The mouth is 

 without lips, consequently, whether walking or swimming, the 

 teeth of Crocodiles are always visible. 



This formidable conformation gives to the Crocodile an aspect 

 at once terrible and alarming, which is increased by two wicked- 

 looking eyes placed obliquely and close together, surmounted by a 

 kind of eyebrow. The tail of these animals is very long, as thick 

 as the body at the junction, and in shape it is flat, like an oar ; 

 this enables them to steer through the water like a fish, and to swim 

 with rapidity. They have four short legs, of which the hinder 

 have toes, united by a natatory membrane, and only three claws 

 to each foot. The skin is coriaceous, thick, and resistant ; being 

 also protected by very thick knots intermingled with plates of 

 different size, according to the parts of the body they protect. On 

 the skull and face the skin adheres closely to the bone, and 

 there is no trace of scales. 



Nature has provided for the safety of these animals by covering 

 them with a cuirass, the resistance of which is proof against 

 almost everything. Thus the scales which defend the back and the 

 upper part of the tail are square, and form hard transversal 

 bands possessed of great flexibility, which prevents them from 

 breaking. Down the centre of the back there is a hard crest, 

 which adds to the strength of their armour. This cuirass is in 

 many points proof against a bullet from a gun. The plates 

 which cover the belly, the upper part of the head, neck, tail, and 

 legs are also arranged in transversal bands, but less hard, and 

 without crests. It is at these weaker and consequently vulnerable 

 parts that those inhabitants of the waters which are enemies to 

 Crocodiles manage to attack them successfully. 



The general colour of the Crocodile is a dullish brown, with 

 sometimes a shade of green along the back ; the head and the 

 sides are marked with green, or at least they have a greenish 

 tint, with blackish spots ; the under part of the legs and belly 

 are of a yellowish grey. All these shades, however, vary with 

 age and sex, and the nature of the water in which the animals 

 live. 



