CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS 
149 
even a huge 25-footer, as witnessed by the writer in the Norman River, North Queensland, 
will make tracks for and hurl itself into the water, if disturbed during its midday siesta by 
the near impact of a rifle-bullet, is a revelation. Crocodiles, moreover, as might be inferred 
from the slit-like contour of the eye-pupil, as shown by daylight, are to a large extent 
nocturnal, displaying their greatest activity, and being in the habit of traveling long distances 
along and away from the river-banks in search of food, or in connection with their migratoiy 
or mating instincts, under the cover of darkness. 
Of all living animals the crocodile and its allies are probably equipped most efficiently 
for both defence and aggression. The thick, horny shields,, quadrangular on the back, tail, and 
under-surface, and adapted in shape and size to cover the head, limbs, and sides, constitute 
an almost impenetrable cuirass. As weapons of offence the formidable array of trenchant teeth, 
with which the powerful jaws are armed, have not alone to be reckoned with by the victim 
assailed. The crocodile’s limbs and claws are relatively weak, and incapable of aggressive 
A CROCODILE 
Note the massi've character of the tail^ a 'weapon loherc'with the creature can disable a horse or an ox^ or sweep smaller prey into the water 
mischief; but in the long, compressed, muscular tail the reptile possesses a terribly effective 
weapon, wherewith, with one swift, unexpected side-stroke, it will sweep a smaller animal into 
the water, or deal a blow of sufficient power to fell or disable a man or bullock. Thus 
well-nigh invulnerable, and cognisant of its marvellous power of jaw and tail, a full-grown 
crocodile will not hesitate to try conclusions with even such puissant adversaries as the bear, 
the tiger, and other large carnivora, when they approach the river’s brink to drink. Not 
infrequently, too, the crocodile comes off the victor in these contests; while, as sometimes 
happens, both of the well-matched foes are found dead side by side at the water’s edge. The 
dread in which crocodiles are held by the natives of tropical countries, and the heavy toll they 
levy upon the riverside population, and more especially the women-folk in their accustomed 
avocations of water-carrying or laundry work, are too familiar to need dissertation. Hence it 
is that in every country, excepting those particular locations where the creature is a subject of 
misguided veneration or fetish worship, it may be said that every man’s hand is against them, 
and the enmity most cordially reciprocated. 
All the members of the Crocodile Family propagate by egg-production. The eggs are 
