( H9 ) 



has been accurately defcribed by the ce- 

 lebrated Ruyfchy to whom I fhall refer 

 you for a farther account of it. 



Among the clafs of Lizards, Alliga- 

 tors evidently claim the firft rank. They 

 are frequently feen in Guiana in the ri- 

 vers, and on the fides of rivers near the 

 fea, in fhape pretty much like a com- 

 mon Lizard, but near twenty feet in 

 length, and of a dark brown or black 

 colour. The upper edge of the tail is 

 {harp, hard, and indented like a faw : 

 over each eye is a hard fcaly protube- 

 rance, or knob, larger than a man's fift. 

 The fkin with which they are covered, 

 is thick, fcaly, and impenetrable to a 

 mufquet ball, except at the head. They 

 differ but little, except in colour, or 

 perhaps not at all, from the Crocodile, 

 In the river Demerary they are fre- 

 quently feen, at low water, lying in the 

 mud, to enjoy the fun-fhine ; and their 

 L 3 young 



