9S 



A Crocodile from the Island of St. Thomas, differ- 

 ing considerably from the common one. 



The Gangetic Crocodile (Lacerta Gangetica). 

 A very young specimen ; grows to the length of 

 30 feet. 



The Alligator (Lacerta Alligator). 



This animal bears so near a resemblance to the 

 Crocodile, that many naturalists have considered it 

 as a mere variety, rather than a distinct species. — 

 Catesby says, the largest and greatest number of 

 Alligators inhabit the Torrid Zone. They frequent 

 not only the salt rivers near the sea, but stre.ims of 

 fresh water in the upper parts of the country, where 

 they lie lurking among the reeds to surprise cattle and 

 other an inrdlij. In Jamaica, and many parts of the 

 Continent, they are found about twenty feet in length. 

 They cannot be more terrible in their aspect than 

 they are foimidable and mischievous in their nature, 

 sparing neither man nor beast they can surprise, 

 pulling them down under water to drown them, that 

 they may with greater facility and without struggle 

 or resistance devour them. As quadrupeds do not 

 often come in their way, they almost always subsist 

 on fish. Thl> destructive monster can neither swim 

 nor run any way than straight forward, and is con- 

 sequently disabled from turning with that agility 

 requisite to catch his prey by pursuit ; therefore they 

 do it by surprise in the water as well as by land. 

 The Alligator is supposed to be a long-lived animal, 

 and its growth is extremely slow. 



Dragon Lizard (Lacerta Dracana). 

 Is a native of South America, and measures two 

 feet four inches in length j it is a harmless animal. 



