THE LIVING WORLD. 165 
though not nearly so numerous as formerly, it is still quite common. The 
animal is also found in the Niger river, and in other water-courses of mid- 
Africa, though some naturalists claim that the species is somewhat different 
from those in the Nile, a point which, however, still remains in dispute, with 
probabilities favoring their identity. In the times of the Jewish oppression, 
SAURIANS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. 
many solemn ceremonies of veneration, to the adoration of this creature, and after 
death the body was most carefully embalmed and saturated* with sweet spices. 
when Egypt was in its glory and the Pharaohs ruled amid surroundings 
of unexampled splendor, the Nile crocodiles were worshipped as embodiments of 
supreme power. A special temple was erected at Memphis and dedicated, with 
CROCODILES OF THE NILE. 
