OF THE UNITED STATES 



157 



mouth is closed. Again, the toes of the crocodile are almost 

 completely webbed, being much less so iu the case of the alliga- 

 tor, although the latter is doubtless just as good a swimmer. 

 Finally, there is a jagged fringe of skin bordering the hind legs 

 and feet of the crocodile, a development of doubtful ornamenta- 

 tion, that is not to be found in anv alligator. 



Fig. 43. Head of Crocodile. 



(Drawn by the Author.) 



This word alligator seems to probably have been derived from 

 the Spanish, as a lizard, either big or little, is known to them as 

 el lagarto; while in the South the writer has frequently heard 

 the negroes speak of alligators as simply " 'gaters." In South 

 America there are two or three more species of these reptiles 



