pliable nature: the whole animal appears as if or¬ 
namented with the moft regular and curious carved- 
work : the color of the full-grown Crocodile is 
blackifh-brown above, and ycllowifh-white beneath; 
while the upper parts of the legs and fome other 
parts arc varied with deep yellowy and, in fome 
places not without a tinge of green; but in the 
younger animals the color on the upper parts is a 
beautiful mixture of brown and pale yellow, which 
on the under parts becomes nearly white. The eyes 
are provided with a nictitating membrane, as in 
birds. 
Crocodiles in a young ftate arc by no means to be 
dreaded, fince their final 1 fi/.e and weaknefs prevent 
them from being able to injure any of the larger 
animals : they therefore content themfelvcs with fifh 
and other fmall prey ; and the young Crocodiles 
which are from time to time brought to Europe are 
fo far from being formidable or ferocious that they 
may generally be handled with impunity, and, either 
from weaknefs, or the effect of a cold climate, feem 
much inclined to torpidity ; but in the glowing re¬ 
gions of Africa, where it arrives at its full ftrength 
and power, this animal is juftly regarded as the moll 
formidable inhabitant of the rivers. To the £rreat 
ftrength and fizc of the Crocodile is fuperadded a 
great degree of fubtilty. It lies in wait near the 
banks of rivers, and fnatches dogs and other animals, 
and fwallows them inftantly; then plunges into the 
flood, and feeks fome retired part, where it may lie 
cnocealed, till hunger again invites it to its prey. 
In its manner of attack it is exactly imitated by a 
fmall 
