ORDER SAURIA. 189 



"be heard at a very considerable distance. This rattling of 

 the jaws often takes place even in the day-time, and the 

 motives of the animals for making it, are by no means 

 very apparent. 



In Egypt and Senegal, the crocodiles are less numerous, 

 but more strong and dangerous than in America. Notwith- 

 standing this, the inhabitants attack them boldly, body to 

 body. As soon as they perceive a crocodile out of the water, 

 they go up boldly to him, and either kill him with spears, 

 or put into his mouth, which he opens to devour, a piece 

 of iron pointed at both ends, which hinders him from shutting 

 his mouth again. They then drown him, in performing 

 which operation, the arm is enveloped with a strong piece 

 of leather. Some are even bold enough to attack the cro- 

 codile while in the water, where he enjoys every advantage 

 of using his tremendous powers. They dive beneath him, 

 and plunge a poignard into his belly. 



The Dutch used to keep a great number of crocodiles in 

 the ditches of Batavia, to prevent the desertion of their 

 soldiers, most of whom were enlisted by force, and to oppose 

 the nocturnal attacks of the people of the country, who 

 supported their yoke with impatience. 



In Africa, the tigers, and the cougars in America, make 

 war upon the crocodiles : but they seldom attack any but 

 the young ones. A great many animals, and principally 

 the mangoustes in Africa, and the otters in America, seek 

 out and devour the eggs of the crocodile. It is said that 

 the female will keep guard upon the place where they are 

 concealed, but this assertion does not appear to be very 

 ' well founded. 



In the body of the crocodiles are found the bezoar stones 

 which formerly were held in such high estimation for their 

 supposed medical virtues. At present, however, like all 



