E X P E D I T I O N T O S U R I N A M. ' 145 



males eating the greater portion of them. On land this C H A P. 



Vil 



animal is not dangerous for want of activity, but in the 

 rivers, where he is often feen lurking for his prey, with 

 his muzzle alone above Vv'ater, fomething like the ilump 

 of an old tree, he is truly tremendous to all that approach 

 him ; yet of man, as I have feen, he is afraid, during 

 the time he keeps his hands and feet in motion, but no 

 longer. Some negroes even have the courage to attack 

 and vanquifh the alligator in his own element, notwith- 

 ftanding his violent flrength and unecualled ferocity, 

 being particularly fond of human flefli. 



The difference between the above animal and the cro- 

 codile (which is alfo found in Surinam) conlilts not 

 merely in the name, but in the fliape and in the nature 

 alfo, the latter being longer and more flender in pro-» 

 portion, and not fo ferocious ; the alligator or caymaa 

 (as called by the natives and negroes) is befides more 

 frequently met with than the crocodile, which partly may 

 be the caufe of its being fuppofed to be more deftrudtive. 

 I fliall only add, that in Afia there is a conliderable 

 difference to be found upon a nice examination between 

 the above two reptiles, where they are alfo larger than 

 they are in any parts of America. 



Had it not been for an accident, thefe creatures would 

 never have been known by any other name than that of 

 crocodile : for had the firfl navigators feen any thing 

 more refembling their form than a lizard, they would 

 have adopted that which the Indians called them by, viz» 



Vol. L U the 



