CROCODILIA 



255 



Fig. 207. — Gavial (Gavia'lis gange'tica). (From Baskett and Ditmars, 

 " The Story of the Amphibians and Reptiles," D. Appleton and Co., 

 Publishers.) 



Fig. 208. — Crocodiles. (From Baskett and Ditmars, " The Story of the 

 Amphibians and Reptiles," D. Appleton and Co., Publishers.) 



The caiman, of Central and South America and the West Indies, is some- 

 thing like our alligators and may reach a length of from 6 to 20 feet. 



The crocodile (Fig. 208) of the Nile and Madagascar and Asia is the 

 largest of the order, sometimes reaching a length of over 20 feet. Hornaday 

 says four species of crocodiles are found in America, and that only three of 

 the nineteen species of crocodiles are dangerous to man, the most dangerous 



