Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-18
AIIigattrs In India.

Notwithstanding the distinction that
is made between ,aligators and croco.
dies, they are -slike in all essential
points. There ste, however, apparent
ly several species Belonging to the order
Sdur,iG, family Crocodilidg, of which
the alligator is one, the general plan of
structure being the same as that of the
lizard. The alligator has a long fiat
head, thick neck and body, protected by
regular transverse rows of square bony
plates, raised in the center into keel
shaped ridges. The mouth is extreme
ly large, extending considerably behind
the eyes, and furnished in each Jaw with
single row of pointed teeth, all OF diff
ferent sizes, and standing apart from
each other. The tongue is short and
fleshy, and firmly attached to the under
jaw throughout, 30 as to be incapable of
protrusion the eyes are placed in the
upper part of the skull, and provided
each with three distinct lids. The tail
is strongly compressed on the sides, and
surmounted with q double series of
strong plates, which, converging toward
the middle, there unite, and form sin
gle row to the extremity. Their feet
are webbed, but it is to the tail that they
owe most of their progressive power in
the water, and though it impedes their
motions on land, it there often becomes
powerful weapon Of defense.
The alligator is Prodigiously strong,
and its natural weapons, both offensive
and defensive, are irresistible. It's ordi
nary length is from fifteen to eighteen
feet, though occasionally individuals are
found of much greater size. The short
ness of its legs, the vertebral conforma
ton of the backbone, the muscles of the
legs, and, in short, its whole frame, are
calculated for amazing force. It's teeth
are exceedingly dangerous, it claws long
and tenacious but the principal instru
ment of destruction is the terrible tail.
with which it has power to overturn a
canoe. Its proper element is the water,
but it is also very formidable on land :
1t seldom, however, unless when pressed
by hunger, or seeking an opportunity
to deposits its eggs, quits the water.
Tho most extraordinary accounts are
given of the strength and ferocitv of the
alligator. 1t usually floats along the
oN~ANOO VI ohO WdtO1s dbuu bblHSS uSfl,
fowl, turtle, or whatever other prey NAV
fall within its reach but this method
failing, it is compelled to venture near
the shore, where it conceals itself among
the sedges in expectation of some land
animal coming to drink. AS the victim
approaches, nothing of its horrible
enemy is to be seen. When, however.
it has COME within suitable distance.
the voracious reptile springs forward
with much more agility than might be
reasonably expected from such an un
wieldly creature, and having secured
it's prey with teeth and claws, instantly
plunges into the water and drags its
prize to the bottom, where it may gorge
itself at leisure. In its depredations
along the banks of stream it sometimes
happens, however, that an alligator
seizes upon an animal as formidable as
itself, and meets with desperate resist
ance. With the tiger, in particular,
which has habit of lurking in the
vicinity of great rivers, it has frequent
contests. The instant this animal finds
itself assaulted it turns about with pro
digious agility, and forces its claws into
the eyes of the assailant, which imme
diately plunges into the water, where the
struggle continues, usually resulting.
however, in the death of the tiger by
drowning.