The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1865-03-30
CROCODILES ON THE WHITE NILE
BY JOHN PEIHERICK.

Our boat was made fast under the lilagt
Of Subchaya, and not far from it was the
hou0e of our conductor, Saleh Wallad Omar
Abt il SamaG-acco'ding to his own ac-
bount q leen sportsman, who disdaining
agricultural pursuits, supported himself and
lamily by the produce of the gun and spear
Six years ago, with three of his fellow vii
layers, he went to a snail island called
Gezet il-Arab, choice rsaort of crocodies,
in search OF their eggs. Going the round
of the island three croccdiles escaped into
the river, and on closely investigating the
spot, a quantity OF eggs were discovered in
the sand. NJ sooner had they made of
with their booty in the direction of small
tent, which they had pitched than croco-
die, having watched their proceedings,
rushed to the plrce Of her deposit, and as
rapidly returned to the river, and, swim .
ming, followed them opposite to their des-
tinatior, where until plghtfall her eyes we're
perceptible above the water. Their repast
that n ght was rich one; but as soon as
the last em5ers of their fire had died away;
.he crocodile charged them furiously, re
peating her attack several times during tn G
night, and it was only by the frequent dis
charge oftheir firearms that they they kept
her from closing upon them.
From that time the crocodile, hitherto
harmless, became furious, and fell upon all
the cattle it could catch upon the river
side Among many victims was fine
mare belonging to an Arab in the village Of
Mega il-Arab, half an hours walk from the
river The mare, as is usual, was allowed
her freedom to Craze in the coarse pastur.
age, and whilst drinking, was suddenly
seized i'll the back of the neck by the jaws
af the crocodile. The mare being an ami
NAL ofgreat power, in an agony Of pain
violently threw up her head, and with It the
crocodile, which dropped on her back, and
with her unwonted burden, she galloped of
to her stable. Tbs astonished villagers be
labored the crocodile so heartily with their
"naboot" (stout sticks, common to every
Fellan), that it was soon indnced to lst 90
its hold and dismount but the mare died
fro 8 the joint effects of its wounds ard the
fright
The breeding season Of the crocodile
takes place during the low stage Of the
river in March, and they deposit their eggs
in the sand on the banks, or, in preference,
in small sand-banks, or islands in the stream.
rhe eggs are white, hard, and in size not
unlike those of a domestic goose; the exact
measurement of one found in the Nouser
country, on the White River, being three
and half inches in length. and five and
thirteeu sixteenth inches in circumference.
Cuvier observes that, Of all animals, the
crocodile attains the greatest dimensions,
considering its size at birth
Fearful Oombats take place between the
males for the females the largest and most
powerful cne i va iahly monopolizing the
latter in his district
When about to lay, the female croc odile,
having made choice of aspot, will dig with
her claws in the sand hole about six inch
es deep, drop her egg therein, and careful
ly cover it. She will then proceed to male
several similar holes around the first, in
order to mIslead any one in search of hel
treasure. Daily she will odd one egg ia