Ad99998 04 016a/eng
Crocodil-Arten
Beschreibungstext eng
Amphibia XIV. Tom. IV. No. 14., TWO KINDS OF CROCODILES., In the 22th number of the I Vol. of our pictnre [sic] Gallerie we have seen the common or the Nile Crocodile, we are here made acquainted with two other sorts., Fig. 1. The American Crocodile. (Lacerta Alligator.), The Cayman, Alligator, or American Crocodile is from 30 to 40 feet long, and consequently of a much smaller size than the Nile Crocodile. It's also sooner frighten'd and in geneial more timorous, than that tremendous animal. It is foimd in the Rivers of the Southern and inland parts of America. Though they chiefly feed on fish, yet they pursue, especially when some o£ them are together, little Boats or Canoes with single persons. The skin is like a coat of mail, and divided into shields. Its colour is darkbrown above, and reddish yellow below. The long tapering head is cover'd all over with scales. Aîong the hack and on the outside of the hind feet runs a row of wedgelike prominences. The hind feet which like the fore feet have rive toes, are also provided with a fwimming fkin. The American Crocodile lays about 50 eggs in a Year. Many birds prey upon these eggs whereby the number of this dangerous animal is greatly diminish'd., Fig. 2. The Gavial or the Ganges-Crocodile. (Lacerta Gangetica.), The Ganses-Crocodile or Gavial attains the size of the Cayman. It is distinguish'd from all other Crocodiles by its long, beak-like Jaws. Hence it forms a particular species, and is often call'd the beaked Crocodile. Its fore feet are divided into four, the hind into five toes, the outer of which are without naiîs. Both sides of its neck are full of wart like prominences; the tail is furnish'd with a double comb of pues. Its teeth are all of the same size and length and very numerons.
