, Ch. IX. SOUTH AMERICA. 189 



by Providence in diminifhing the number of thcfe 

 deftruftive creatures, not only by the gallinazos, but 

 even by the males themfelves. Indeed, neither the 

 river nor the neighbouring fields would otherwife be- 

 fufficient to contain them for, notvvithftanding the 

 ravages of thefe two infatiable enemies, their numbers 

 can hardly be imagined. 



These alligators are the great deftroyers of the fifli 

 in t-his river, it being' their mod fafe and general food ^ 

 nor are they wanting in addrefs to fatisfy their defires ; 

 eight or ten, as it were by compa6l, draw up at the 

 mouth of a river or creek, whilft others go a confider- 

 able diftance up the river, and chafe the fifh down- 

 wards, by which none of any bignefs efcape them. 

 The alligators, being unable to eat uiider water, on 

 feizing a fifh, raife their heads above the furface, and, 

 by degrees, draw the filh from their jaws, and chew 

 it for deglutition. After fatisfy ing their appetite, they 

 retire to reft on the banks of the river. 



When they cannot find fifli to appeafe their hunger^, 

 they betake themfelves to the meadows bordering on 

 the banks, and devour calves and colts ; and, in order 

 to be more fecure, take the opportunity of the night, 

 that they may furprize them in their fleep ; and it is 

 obferved, that thofe alligators which have once tafted 

 flefh, become fo fond of it, as never to take up with 

 fifii but in cafes of neceiTity. There are even too 

 many melancholy inftances of their devouring the 

 human fpecies, efpecially children, who, from the in- 

 attention natural to their age, have been without doors 

 after it is dark ; and though at no great diftance, 

 thefe voracious animals have dared to attack them, 

 and having once feized them, to make fure of their 

 prey againft that alTiftance which the cries of the 

 vi6lim never fail to bring, haften into the water, 

 where they immediately drown it, and then return to 

 the furface and devour it at leifure. 



— Their 



