NATURAL HISTORY. 



401 



Family Y. Cheloniadro. 



CJIELONIA. 



Yiridis (Lat. (jrccn\ the Turtle. 



The Green Turtle has been known to reach the weight of five 

 or six hundred pounds. The tortoiseshell of commerce is almost 

 entirely obtained from the Hawksbill Turtle. 



THE CROCODILE. 



These animals are separated from the Lizards on account 

 of the peculiar horny covering with which they are pro- 

 tected. 



The CROCODILE is an inhabitant of the Old World, the 

 ALLIGATOR of the New, and the two animals are best dis- 

 tinguished by the construction of the jaws. In the Crocodiles 

 the lower canine teeth fit into a notch in the edge of the upper 

 jaw, and there is in consequence a contraction of the muzzle 

 just behind the nostrils. The lower canine teeth of the Alli- 

 gators fit into a pit in the edge of the upper jaw, and in con- 



