284 REPTILES. [Chap. IX. 
any variation from the habits of those found in other 
countries. There would appear to be two well-distin- 
guished species found in the island, the JEli-kimboola x , 
the Indian crocodile, inhabiting the rivers and estuaries 
throughout the low countries of the coasts, attaining the 
length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and ready to assail man 
when pressed by hunger ; and the marsh-crocodile 2 , 
which lives exclusively in fresh water, frequenting the 
tanks in the northern and central provinces, and con- 
fining its attacks to the smaller animals : in length it 
seldom exceeds twelve or thirteen feet. Sportsmen com- 
plain that their dogs are constantly seized by both 
species ; and water-fowl, when shot, frequently disappear 
before they can be secured by the fowler. 3 It is generally 
believed in Ceylon that, in the case of larger animals, the 
crocodile abstains from devouring them till the com- 
mencement of decomposition facilitates the operation of 
swallowing. To assist in this, the natives assure me that 
the reptile contrives to fasten the carcase behind the 
roots of a mangrove or some other convenient tree, 
and tears off each piece by a backward spring. 
There is another popular belief that the crocodile is 
exceedingly sensitive to tickling ; and that it will relax 
its hold of a man, if he can only contrive to reach and 
rub with his hand the softer parts of its under side. 4 An 
1 Crocodilus biporcatus, Guvier. sided for a long time at Caltura, 
2 Crocodilus palustris, Less. tells me that in the rivers which 
3 In Slam the flesh of the croco- flow into the sea, "both there and 
dile is sold for food in the markets at Bentotte, crocodiles are fre- 
and bazaars. " Un jour je vis quently caught in corrals, formed 
plus de cinquante crocodiles, petits of stakes driven into the ground 
et grands, attaches aux colonnes in shallow water, and so con- 
de leurs maisons. lis Jes vendent structed, that when the reptile 
la chair comme on vendrait de la enters to seize the bait placed 
chair de pore, mais a bien meilleur within, the aperture closes behind, 
marche." — Pallegoix, Siam, vol. and secures him. A professional 
i. p. 174. "crocodile charmer" then enters, 
4 A native gentleman who re- muttering a spell, and with one end 
