176 POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 
ALLIGATOR POOL, 
sizes, and it is there that visitors can secure most realistie 
impressions of the appearance of this species in a state of 
nature, and in abundant numbers. 
Under favorable conditions,—warm water and air, good 
light, plenty of room, and abundant food,—the Alligator 
grows rapidly. A specimen hatched in our Reptile House 
in October, 1900, was in January, 1911, 8 feet 3 inches long, 
and weighed 75 pounds. 
The Crocodile genus is widely represented throughout the 
world. Of the whole eleven species, the American con- 
tinent contains four—the Florida Crocodile, (Crocodilus 
acutus floridanus), attainmg a length of 14 feet, which was 
discovered at the head of Biscayne Bay, in 1875, by W. T. 
Hornaday; the American Crocodile, (C. acutus) ; the Sharp- 
nosed Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodilus intermedius), found in 
South America; and the small Crocodilus rhombifer, which 
is found only in Cuba and the West Indies. 
Of the seven remaining species, Asia contains four, and 
Africa three. Of the Asiatic species, one frequents salt 
water. 
The Florida Crocodile is now represented by two speci- 
mens nearly 9 feet long, from Madina Creek, southern Flor- 
ida, presented by Mr. Julian A. Dimock. It is to be recog- 
nized at a glance by its dark olive color and sharp-pointed 
head. This is the only species of crocodile found in the 
United States. Its maximum length is 14 feet 2 inches. 
