ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES. 67 
are extremely small. Larger than that, they are sometimes inclined 
to be ugly and their small teeth cut sharply. 
Years ago the alligator was very destructive to dogs. Young 
dogs which went down to the rivers to drink often did not return, 
and the howling of a dog would instantly bring to the surface any 
alligator which might be within hearing distance. Hunting dogs 
while swimming 
streams and ponds 
were often killed 
or badly bitten by 
these animals; but 
at present so few 
of the large ones 
are left, and they 
have become so 
shy, that it is a 
rare thing to hear 
of dogs being in- 
jured by them. 
The alligator is 
often found on land 
some distance from 
water; in such 
cases it is well to 
keep away from its 
tail, as it strikes with great power and is capable of doing con- 
siderable injury. The danger from this is probably exaggerated. 
One method of hunting alligators which is quite commonly prac- 
tised is to pull them out of their holes under the banks of the rivers 
and on the borders of the ponds. When the water gets low enough 
at certain seasons of the year these holes may be found, and by in- 
vestigating them with the aid of a long pole, if the alligator is at 
home he will soon give signs of life, usually grunting and moving 
about. Oftentimes he will savagely bite the end of the pole when 
it touches him. A large hook, resembling a shark hook, is attached 
ALLIGATOR. 
