THE CROCODILE, 



5* 



able to the Crocodiles. They place the coop upon 

 the bank of a river or canal, in perfect confidence 

 that, by the means of such offerings, they shall get 

 rid of their complaints; and persuaded that, if any 

 person cowld be so wicked as to take away those 

 viands, such person would draw upon himself the 

 malady, for the cure of which the offering was 

 made. The worship of Crocodiles was indeed a 

 folly among men of ancient date ; as Herodotus 

 expressly says that " among some of the Egyptian 

 €( tribes the Crocodiles are sacred, but that they 

 " are regarded as enemies among others. The in- 

 * habitants in the environs of Thebes, and the lake 

 " Mceris, are firmly persuaded of their sanctity ; 

 <c and both these tribes bring up and tame a Croco- 

 " dile, adorning his ears* with rings of precious 

 "* stones and gold, and putting ornamental chains 

 w about his fore-feet. They also regularly give 

 " him victuals, offer victims to him, and treat him 

 (t in the most respectful manner while living, and, 

 M when dead, embalm, and bury him in a conse- 

 M crated coffin." 



It is said that even at this day Crocodiles are oc- 

 casionally tamed in many parts of Africa, where 

 they are kept in large ponds or lakes, as an article 

 of magnificence with the monarchs of those re- 

 gions. The Romans frequently exhibited these ani- 

 mals in their public spectacles and triumphs. 



The eggs of the Crocodile are numbered among 



* None of the Amphibia have external ears. 

 E 2 



