REPTIVIA—ALLIGATOR. 695 
mighty sea-like river Mississippi, is the alligator. There, along the muddy 
shores, and on the large floating logs, these animals are seen lying stretched 
at full length, basking and asleep, or crossing to and fro the stream in search 
of food, with the head only out of the water. Itis here neither wiil nor 
shy; nor is it the very dangerous animal represented by travellers. But, to 
give you details that probably may not be uninteresting, I shal] describe 
their more private haunts, and relate what I have experienced wd scen 
respecting them in their habits. 
“Tn Louisiana, all our lagoons, bayous, creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers, 
are well stocked with them; they are found wherever there is u sufficient 
quantity of water to hide them, or to furnish them with food; and they 
continue thus, in great numbers, as high as the mouth of the Arkansas 
river, extending east to North Carolina, and as far west as Ihave penetrated. 
On the Red river, before it was navigated by steam vessels, thcy were so 
extremely abundant that, to see hundreds at a sight along the shores, or of 
the immense rafts of floating or stranded timber, was quite a common occur- 
rence, the smaller on the backs of the larger, groaning and uttering their 
bellowing noise, like thousands of irritated bulls about to meet in fight, but 
all so careless of man that, unless shot at, or positively disturbed, they re- 
mained motionless, suffering boats or canoes to pass within a few yards of 
them, without noticing them in the least. The shores are yet trampled by 
them in such » manner, that their large tracks are seen as plentiful as those 
