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VERTEBRATES. 



artistically arranged, and suffering it to float in the river. When 

 an alligator has swallowed it, he is hauled on shore by the rope, 

 and slaughtered. Waterton gives a very amusing account of 

 catching a cayman. The reptile had swallowed the hook, and was 

 being towed ashore. Waterton was waiting for him, armed with 

 the mast of the boat, to force it down the throat of the cayman 



Alligator. 



should he prove restive. "By this time the cayman was within 

 two yards of mc ; I saw he was in a state of fear and perturbation. 

 I instantly dropped the mast, sprang up, and jumped on his back, 

 turning half round as I vaulted, so that I gained my seat with my 

 face in a right position. I immediately seized his fore legSj and 

 by main force twisted them on his back j thus they served me for 

 a bridle. 



" He now seemed to have recovered from his surprise, and 

 probably fancying himself in hostile company, he began to plunge 

 furiously, and lashed the sand with his long and powerful tail. I 

 was out of reach of the strokes of it, by being near his head. 

 He continued to plunge and strike, and made my seat very 

 uncomfortable." 



