232 ANIMAL FOOD EESOURCES OF DIFFERENT NATIONS. 



Snakes, and Amphibians, whose flesh furnishes food to 

 different people. 



Crocodiles are highly valued in their native countries 

 on account of their flesh and excellent eggs. Herodotus 

 speaks with favour of the huge giants of Elephantine 

 on the Upper Nile, where they are still caught with an* 

 angle and universally eaten, in spite of their strong 

 musky odour. Even the alligator of the Southern States 

 of America is by no means despised, and finds ready 

 acceptance as food with the negroes and some white 

 people. 



Dr. Holbrook states that he found the flesh of the alli- 

 gator tolerable eating, although Catesby considered its 

 peculiar taste and odour disagreeable. 



In Guiana the negroes do not disdain to eat the 

 flesh of the caiman, or alligator, which is white but 

 hard, and of a musky flavour. The alligator forms the 

 chief food of the Indians of Brazil. The flesh is said to 

 be like veal, and good eating. 



In Siam the crocodile attains a length of 25 feet, with 

 a voracity proportioned to its size. Its flesh is sold for 

 food in the markets and bazaars. Pallegoix ("Siam," 

 vol. i., p. 174) says: — "TJn jour je vis plus de cinquante 

 crocodiles, petits et grands, attaches aux colonnes de 

 leurs maisons. lis vendent la chair comme on vendrait 

 de la chair de pore, mais k bien meilleur marche." 



The flesh of the Nile crocodile {Crocodilus niloticus) 

 is eaten by the negroes. 



In Dongola the crocodile (C. vulgaris) is caught for 

 the sake of its flesh, which is regarded as a delicacy. 

 The flesh and fat are eaten by the Berberines, who con- 

 sider these excellent, but both have a strong smell of 

 musk. Dr. Madden tells us that in Egypt he tasted a 

 piece of young crocodile broiled. The flavour a good 

 deal resembled that of a lobster, and, though somewhat 

 tough, it might certainly be considered very excellent 

 food. 



Crocodiles are very abundant in many parts of Africa. 

 They are found in nearly all the rivers east of the Um- 



