CROCODILE. 
49 
the water, where they are enabled to subsist from 
their birth without any assistance from others. But 
few, however, in proportion to the number of eggs 
which are laid by these creatures, ever come to ma- 
turity. The natives are very fond of them, and are 
constantly seeking their nests. The ichneumon is 
always upon the watch, and destroys great num- 
bers ; to which may be added the vultures mention- 
ed by Ulloa. These birds seem appointed by Provi- 
dence to abridge their fecundity ; they hide them- 
selves among the branches of the trees near the 
banks of the river, and in silence mark the spot 
where the crocodile lays her eggs ; but the moment 
she retires they call each other to the feast, and, 
flocking all together upon the hidden treasure, tear 
up the eggs, and devour them in a much quicker 
time than they were deposited. 
The crocodile was exhibited by the Romans 
among the various animals which they occasionally 
introduced in their public spectacles. During the 
aedileship of Scaurus, five of these animals were pre- 
sented to the people in the public shows ; and 
Augustus provided one to grace his triumph over 
Cleopatra, besides others, at different times, for the 
entertainment of the people. 
The trifling difference in form between the cro- 
codiles of the Nile and those of America has in- 
duced some naturalists to describe them as distinct 
species. The difference however is so slight, that 
others have considered them only as varieties which 
VOL. 11 . 
E 
