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 Mi-kimboola l , 

 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, Cuvier. sided for a long time at Caltura, 



2 Crocodilus palustris, Less. tells me that in the rivers which 



3 In Siam 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 'es 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 



