THE LIVING WORLD. 
166 
In the crocodile proper there is an uninterrupted series of teeth round both 
jaws, by which feature it is distinguishable from the alligator, which has every 
fourth tooth of the under jaw fitting into a corresponding socket of the upper 
one. 
In Central Africa the crocodile not unfrequently attains a length of thirty 
feet, and Sir Samuel Baker declares that he shot one that measured thirty-three 
feet, which is believed to be the maximum. The food of the crocodile is prefer¬ 
ably putrid meat, but it will bolt whole fish and small quadrupeds. On the under 
side of the lower jaw is an opening from which the animal has the ability to 
force at will a liquid that has an overpowering odor of musk, which Mr. Bell 
declares the creature uses to attract fish to its haunt. 
The Double Crested Crocodile is a most common species of India, found 
principally near the mouths of rivers that lead into the Indian Ocean. It is also 
fairly plentiful in the running streams of Java, and occasionally in those of 
China. It derives its name from the fact that it is furnished with two promi¬ 
nent ridges which extend over the jaw-near the eyes. This species is extremely 
cowardly, and takes to precipitate flight at the sight of man. Should they be 
found in a 
shallow basin 
where escape 
is impossible, 
ostrich-like 
they will hide 
the head by 
driving it into 
the mud and 
remain uncon¬ 
scious of the 
exposure of 
the body. 
Concerning 
this disposi¬ 
tion to burrow in the mud at the approach of danger, Sir Edward Tennent 
writes: “ Some years ago, during the progress of the pearl fishery, Mr. Horton 
employed men to drag for crocodiles in a pond which was infested by 
them in the immediate, vicinity of Aripo. The pool was about fifty yards 
in length by ten or twelve wide, shallowing gradually toward the edge, 
and not exceeding four or five feet in the deepest part. As the party 
approached the pond, from twenty to thirty reptiles, which had been basking in 
the sun, rose and fled to the water. A net specially weighted so as to sink its 
lower edge to the bottom was then stretched from bank to bank, and dragged to- 
the further end of the pond followed by a line of men with poles to drive the 
crocodiles forward. So complete was the arrangement that it appeared not one of 
the creatures could avoid the net, yet to the astonishment of the party not one 
of the reptiles was entangled. Their escape could only have been effected by 
burrowing in the soft mud.” 
The Marsh Crocodile is found in various parts of Asia, but its principal 
habitat is Australia, where they have been killed measuring above thirty feet 
in length. This species has also a habit of burrowing in the mud, where it 
Ga.vial (G. gangeticus). 
