FOSSIL REPTILES. 195 



ex crocodilis, antiquissimum et prestantissimum appellaret;*' 

 but Plutarch^ in relating the same history^ speaks of but one, 

 ^^the sacred crocodile.^' 



It is very true, that the entire species was spared in those 

 places, where an individual was reared and consecrated. It is 

 also true that these consecrated individuals, fed and well 

 treated by the priests, in the course of time grew tame. But 

 this, so far from being a peculiar character of the species, was 

 constantly cited by the ancients, as a proof that there was no 

 animal^ however cruel, that might not be tamed by the care 

 and assiduity of man; and especially when food was abun- 

 dantly provided. Aristotle expressly concludes, from this 

 familiarity between the priests and the crocodiles, that the 

 most ferocious animals might live peaceably together as long 

 as there was no lack of nourishment. Whether this illus- 

 trious philosopher considered that the priests on their side 

 furnished an illustration of this fact with the crocodiles, we 

 cannot pretend to determine. 



There are, moreover, very sufficient proofs, that the cro- 

 codiles most common in the districts where they were brought 

 up and reverenced, were not an atom more gentle than those 

 of the rest of Egypt. On the contrary, they were more cruel, 

 because they were less timid. ^Elian relates, that among the 

 Tentyrites, who destroyed these animals as much as they 

 possibly could, one might bathe and swim in perfect safety 

 in the river. While at Ombos, Coptos, and Arsinoe, where 

 they were revered, it was not safe even to walk upon the 

 bank, much less to wash the feet, or draw water. He adds, 

 that the inhabitants considered it an honour, and rejoiced when 

 these animals devoured their children. 



Whatever might have been the origin of so besotted a 

 worship as that of the crocodile, we have sufficient evidence 

 that the Egyptians did not attribute it to the gentleness of the 

 species thus held in adoration. On the contrary, many were 

 of opinion that it vyas the ferocity of these animals which 



O 



