8 
TEAVELS IN CENTEAL AFEICA. 
sand on the banks^ or^ in preference^ in small sand-banks or islands 
in the stream. The eggs are white^ hard^ and in size not unlike 
those of a domestic goose ; the exact measurement of one I found 
in the Nouaer country^ on the White Kiver^ being three and a 
half inches in length_, and five and thirteen-sixteenths inches in 
circumference. Cuvier observes that_, of all animals^ the crocodile 
attains the greatest dimensions^, considering its size at birth. 
Fearful combats take place between the males for the females^ 
the largest and most powerful one invariably monopolizing the 
latter in his district. 
“ When about to lay_, the female crocodile,, having made choice 
of a spot^ will dig with her claws in the sand a hole about six 
inches deep, drop her egg therein, and carefully cover it. She will 
then proceed to make several similar holes around the first, in 
order to mislead any one in search of her treasure. Daily she will 
contribute one egg to her store, at the same time carefully widening 
the excavation, turning the eggs, and re-covering them with sand. 
Unless disturbed, she will lie near or over them, and leave them 
but for a short time, to feed in their close vicinity ; and she will 
even then watch them zealously by raising her head to the surface 
of the water, and occasionally run towards them at short intervals, 
to satisfy herself that all is right, and return to her feeding- 
ground. The quantity of eggs depends upon the age and size of 
the animal, and varies from forty to sixty. 
^‘^At the commencement of the hatching season the nest is 
widened to accommodate the eggs, being arranged close to each 
other and equidistant from the surface. A slighter covering is now 
placed over them, so that incubation by means of the sun^s heat 
may take place. During this stage the attention of the animal 
towards her eggs is redoubled in watching and turning them ; and 
