E 3 44 1 
have not this Scent, but when Fear or Self-preferva- 
tion prompts them to it. Our Author hath feen them 
kept tame about a Houfe : The Indians reckon their 
Flefh a great Dainty : Our Author found it well-tafted. 
They feed on Infcds, and wild Fruit. 
jP feudo-phalangium ramofum . 
63 . Lacertus omnium maximus, Crocodilus didus. 
The Alligator. 
Our Author hath in this Plate given a Figure of a 
Crocodiles Egg, which is not larger than a common 
Turkey's, and of a young Crocodi e or Alligator , 
juft got out of one. It is to be admired, that from fo 
fmall a Size thefe Creatures fometimes grow to be 10 
or 30 Feet long. Thefe Monfters are not found 
further North in America, than the fame Latitude that 
anfwers to the Northern Coaft of Africa. They 
fometimes, though rarely, attack Men or Cattle, but 
are great Devourers of Hogs. They are beft avoided 
by turning flhort from them s for they cannot eafily 
turn, either in running or fwimming, the Joints of 
their Back not being very flexible. The hind Part of 
their Belly and Tail is often eat by the Indians 5 the 
Flefh is delicately white, but of fo perfum'd a Tafte 
and Smell, as to make it difagreeable to eat. 
To this I fhall beg leave to add, that thefe Creatures 
were known to the Antients in the Nile , and arc 
defcribed by the Name of Crocodilus , both by the 
Greek and Latin W riters $ which Word is fuppos'd to 
be compounded of the Words jtgojcu, littus , and 
ifgiX®-, timidns , or an Animal fhy of the Shoar. 
This Species of Creatures is exadly the fame with 
thofe in America , where the Spaniards firft gave them 
the Name of Allagarto 5 which is as much as to fay, 
. The 
