468 



CROCODILIA 



alligators in climbing up and down. There they bask in the 

 sunlight until disturbed by the hunter or the desire for food. 

 When aroused they make for the bottom, and I have never 

 waited long enough to see one return unless he were vigorously 

 stimulated with a long pole. They frequently dig a cave for 



Pm 



Fig. 112. — Skull of Alligator mississippiensis. A, Dorsal ; B, ventral ; C, lateral view. 

 ■Ag, Angular tone of mandible ; Cd, occipital condyle ; Gh, choanae or posterior 

 narial openings — the median small liole behind them indicates the position of the 

 opening of the Eustachian tubes ; Jg, jugal ; L, lacrymal ; Mx, maxillary ; No, 

 nostrils ; Pa, palatine ; Pm, premaxillary ; Pt, pterygoid ; Q, quadrate ; T, Tr, trans- 

 verse bone or ectopterygoid. 



themselves in the bottom of the pond or stream, or in the bank 

 beneath the water. Oftentimes one can start them out of the 

 cave by using a pole, but if very obstinate, the hunters dig them 

 out with spades. 



" As the water decreases in the streams and ponds with the 

 summer heat, the alligators travel to the larger bodies of water. 



