402 NATURAL HISTORY. 



Order IV. . EMYDOSA URL(Gr. 'Epvs, the Water-Tortoise ; aavpa.) 

 Family I. . Crocodilidoe. (Gr. KpoKodfdos. Crocodile kind.)* 



Vulgui'is (Lat. common], the Crocodile. 



sequence no contraction is needed. At the back of the throat 

 is a valve completely shutting out water, but leaving the pas- 

 sage to the nostrils free, so that the Crocodile can keep his 

 mouth open when beneath the surface, without swallowing the 

 Avater, or can hold his prey to drown under the water while he 

 himself breathes at ease with his nostrils at the surface. There 

 is no true tongue. 



The Common Crocodile inhabits many African rivers, and 

 is, probably, the reptile infesting the Ganges. The Nile, how- 

 ever, is the best known haunt of this terrible creature. 



The Crocodile feeds 011 fish, floating carrion, and dogs or 

 other animals, which it is enabled to surprise as they come to 

 drink at the water's edge, but man frequently falls a victim 



* The word Crocodile literally signifies, " one afraid of saffron." 



