dmphibia Xir, Fol IV. No. 1 4* 



TWO KINDS OF CROCODILES. 



In the 22 th number of the I Voi. of our picture 

 Gallerie we have feen the common or the Nile 

 Crocodile, we are here made acquainted with, 

 two other forts. 



Fis. l. The American Crocodile. 

 (Lacerto, Alligator.) 



The Cayman, Alligator , or American Croco- 

 dile is from 30 to 40 feet long, and confequen- 

 tly of a much fmaller fizè than the Nile Croco- 

 dile. It's alfo fooner frighten'd and in general 

 more timorous, than that tremendous animal. 

 It is found in the Rivers of the Southern and 

 inland parts of America. Though they chiefly 

 feed on fish, yet they pursue, efpecially when 

 fome of them are together, little Boats or Ca- 

 noes with fin gl e pei fon s. 



The £kin is like a coat of mail, and divided 

 into fhielda. Its colour is dark brown above, 

 and reddish yellow below. The long tapering 

 head is cover'd all over with fcales. Along the 

 back and on the outiide of the hind feet runs 



ä row of wedgelike prominences. The hind 

 feet which like the fore feet have five toes, are 

 alfo provided with a fwimming fkin. 



The American Crocodile lays about 30 eggs 

 in a Year. Many birds prey upon thefe eggs 

 whereby the number of this dangerous animal 

 is greatly diminished. 



Fig. 2. The Gavial or the Ganges- 

 Crocodile. 



(Lacerta Gaiigctîca.) 



The Ganges- Crocodile or Gavial attains the 

 fize of the Cayman. It is difiinguish'd from all 

 other Crocodiles by its long, beak -like Jaws. 

 Hence it forms a particular fpecies, and is often 

 cah'd the beaked Crocodile. Its fore feet are 

 divided into four y the- hind into five toes , the 

 outer of which are without nails. Both fides 

 of its neck are full of wart like prominences^ 

 the tail is furnish'd with a double comb of piles. 

 Its teeth are all of the fame fize and length and 

 very numerous. 



