CROCODILES. 42t 
This terrible creature is found chiefly in the Nile, where it absolutely 
swarms, and though a most destructive and greatly dreaied animal, is 
without doubt as valu- 
able in the water as 
the hyzena and vulture 
upon the land. Living 
exclusively on animal 
food, and rather prefer- 
ring tainted or even 
putrefying to fresh 
meat, it is of great ser- 
vice in devouring the 
dead animals that 
would otherwise pollute 
the waters and_ sur- 
rounding atmosphere. 
Human beings have 
a great dread of this 
voracious reptile. Many 
instances are known 
where men have been 
surprised near the 
water’s edge, or cap- 
tured when they have 
fallen into the river. EGYPTIAN CROCODILE.—(Crocodilus vulgaris.) 
There is, it is said, 
only one way of escape from the jaws of the Crocodile, and that is to turn 
boldly upon the scaly foe, and press the thumbs into his eyes, so as to force 
him to relax his hold or relinquish the pursuit. 
The eggs of the ‘ 
Crocodile are about as 
large as those of the 
goose, and many in 
number, so that these 
terrible reptiles would 
overrun the country 
were they not persecut- 
ed in the earliest stages 
by many creatures, who 
discover and eat the 
eggs almost as soon as 
they are laid. It is 
curious that the Croco- 
dile is attended by a 
bird which warns it of 
danger, just as the rli- 
noceros has its wing- 
ed attendant, and the 
shark its pilot fish. The 
Crocodile bird is popu- 
larly called the Ziczac, 
from its peculiar cry. ALLIGATOR. —(Alligator Mississipensis.) 
WE now come to the ALLIGATORS, the second family of those huge 
reptiles, which may be known, as has already been mentioned, by the lowey 
canine teeth fitting into pits in the upper jaw. 
