OF THE UNITED STATES 



157 



mouth is closed. Again, the toes of the crocodile are almost 

 completely webbed, being much less so in the case of the alliga- 

 tor, although the latter is doubtless just as good a swimmer. 

 Finally, there is a jagged fringe of skin bordering the hind legs 

 and feet of the crocodile, a development of doubtful ornamenta- 

 tion, that is not to be found in any alligator. 



FIG. 43. HEAD OF CROCODILE. 



^Drawn by the Author.) 



This word alligator seems to probably have been derived from 

 the Spanish, as a lizard, either big or little, is known to them as 

 el lagarto; while in the South the writer has frequently heard 

 the negroes speak of alligators as simply " 'gaters." In South 

 America there are two or three more species of these reptiles 



