130 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Crocodiles. 



The Shielded Saurians, as Dumeril designates the largest of living 

 species of that order of Reptiles, have the body depressed, elongated, 

 and protected on the back with a solid carinated shield or buckler ; 

 the tail longer than the trunk, compressed laterally, annulated and 

 crested above ; possess very short legs ; the toes of the posterior feet 

 united, or web-footed, each foot having three claws only ; head 

 depressed and elongated into a muzzle ; the gape of the mouth 

 extending back beyond the skull; tongue fleshy, adherent; teeth 

 conical, simple, hollowed at the base or towards the root, unequal in 

 length, and in a single row. Such is a brief summary of the family, 

 by Dumeril and Bibron. 



If the eagle is the king of the air, the lion the despot of the forest, 

 and the whale the monarch of the deep, the crocodile has for the 

 exercise of his undisputed control the shores of tropical seas and 

 rivers. Living on the confines of land and water, .this formidable 

 reptile is the scourge of those human beings who are compelled to 

 reside near its haunts, for it surpasses the tiger^ lion, or eagle, in 

 its power of destruction. 



Crocodiles have the head depressed and elongated into a muzzle, 

 in the front of which the nostrils are seen close to a fleshy tubercle, 

 and furnished with movable valves. The mouth opens up to the 

 ears ; the jaws are of commensurate length, and are armed, as we 

 have seen, with conical-pointed teeth, bent back, and disposed in such 

 a manner that when the mouth is closed they pass one under the 

 other. These teeth are implanted in a single row, and continually 

 maintained perfect by an organic system which ensures their immediate 

 reparation ; for, each tooth is hollowed at the base in such a manner 

 as to form the cell or sheath for its successor. The new tooth, 

 presses on underneath the old one, so that the first is developing 

 while the second is decaying. In some species the front teeth of the 

 lower jaw are so long and sharp that they perforate the edge of the 

 upper jaw and appear above the muzzle when the mouth is closed. 

 Baron Cuvier says, "The lower jaw being continued behind the 

 cranium, the upper one appears to be movable." The mouth is 

 without lips, consequently, whether walking or swimming, their teeth 

 are visible. 



This conformation gives to the Crocodile a terrible and alarming 

 aspect, increased by its eyes, which are placed obliquely and close 

 together. Its tail is long, tapering, and flat on the sides like an oar; 

 enabling it to direct its course through the water, and swim with 



