YOUNG CROCODILIAXS IX CAPTIVITY. 179 



trouble. The water will require changing each morning, 

 which can be made the feeding time as well. They may 

 be left to their own resources for the rest of the day. Any- 

 one devoting the small amount of time and trouble to 

 them will find himself well repaid by their interesting 

 ways and mode of life. If crocodiles are kept at a suit- 

 able temperature they will all feed when they get used to 

 their new surroundings. Failure is mostly due to too 

 low a temperature of the water. 



Crocodiles seem a fairly healthy tribe, taking them 

 altogether. They are not much subject to disease in 

 captivity. Sometimes their toes shew enlargements 

 resembling corns, and the internal structure corresponds 

 in appearance with the external characters. Unlike 

 terrapins and water tortoises generally, they shew no 

 carious disease of their shields. Occasionally, howeyer, 

 the yentral scutes shew this carious condition, and less 

 frequently the dorsals. They will at times refuse food for 

 apparently no reason, but, if left alone, will resume 

 feeding of their own accord. 



