144 



NATURAL HISTORY READER. 



world, but there was much openness about his counte- 

 nance when lie smiled." 



5. His color is a muddy brown, and, as be slowly swims 

 along the streams or floats down the current, he can scarce- 

 ly be distinguished from driftwood ; or, as be lies stretched 

 out on the shore, lie may easily be mistaken for a half-de- 



i^^^^^» "''111 



r 



Alligators in Florida Swamp. 



cayed log. But let any animal approach him, and the log 

 at once shoots into astonishing activity, one end being 

 changed into a threshing-machine, and the other into a 

 veritable mill ready to crush and grind any grist which 

 may be offered. The larger animals are glad to make off, 

 congratulating themselves if no bones are broken, while 



