Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-25

according to the geoio-
sAsaEc gists. came to an end
many millions Of years
ago. It is probable that these creatures live
longer than any other existing animals, pos
sibiy excepting the tortoise which in some
eastern countries is the emblem Of longevity.
There IL tortoise In q garden at Mutwal, in
Ceyion. which IL known to be $50 years old,
though its age when frst captured could not be
ascertained.
To provide for its long life nature has given
the crocodile special and peculiar means for
renewing its teeth. 1t has thirty-four teeth IN
the upper Jaw and an equal number in the
lower jaw. These are hollow and are replaced
by others which are contained within them
BY degrees the latter develop. finally pushing
out the old teeth and taking their places, to be
themselves displaced on the same principle In
| later years. The teeth OF the crocodile of the
Nile, which IS the same species as is found in
Ceylon and India, are arranged for selling SO as
to ipterlock, the two longest teeth in the lower
Jaw penetrating through holes in the upper jaw
80 that tho points appear through the top Of the
snout
LIKE HUMAN HANDS
The fore feet Of the crocodile somewhat re-
semble human hands in form. They are armed
with five long, horny claws, which sometimes
are four inches in length, and these are used
for holding the prey while the animal is tear
ing the latter with its teeth. 1t is commonly
supposed that the reptile Immediately swallows
Its victims on Selling them, but this is mis-
take 1t may do SO with small creatures, such
as ducks or dogs. but large beasts are usually
dragged beneath the water and held below the
surface until drowned. Then they are carried
away to some favorIte hiding place and de-
voured at leisure. Very commonly the croco-
die buries its prey and leaves it to become
putrid in which condition it is more readily
digested
This greatest Of all lizards is found in the
rivers OF tropical ATTITUDES all over the world
in America it is generally known the "alli-
gator but many rsturalists assert that there
| is no material difference between the alligator
and the crocodile. Sir Samuel W. Baker in his
work on Wild Beasts and Their Ways" speaks
OF peculiar species in the Gauges and other
rivers Of India which IL different from all other
crocodiles, being distinguished by beak shaped
jaws and lump on the end Of its nose. 1t is
known as the ''gaviar' and aetains a length of
more than twenty feet. However, 1t is def
Gent In bulk and not 50 formidable as certain
other crocodles. 1t lives on fish and seldom
attacks men or beasts.
The crocodile Of the Nile is harpooned by the
Arabs In the SAME manner as the hippopota-
mus. except that the hunters go in swimming
| after the reptile. Having discovered one Of the
gigantic lizards asleep on a sand bank, they
swim up as near to it as possible and throw
| their harpoons AS the saurian Immediately
plunges into the river the hunters with equal
agility jump out In many parts of the Soudan
the hunters are armed with rifles, but the har-
poon IN dexterous hands is more effective the
quarry seldom escaping. Great numbers of
crocodiles may be short. but only a small per-
centage OF those hit are actually secured, as the
bodies sink at once in deep water Having
sunk the oarcasses do not rise to the surface
again for several days, until decomposition has
set In.
DEMAND FOR THE SKINS
The great demand which has sprung up
recently for crocodile hides as a material for
travelling bags and innumerable other articles
Of leather is having the very desirable effect Of
reducing the number of the reptiles, which are q
terrible scourge to most countries which thew
infest. The male has four musk glands which
are highly priced by the Arabs Of the Soudan,
where crocodile hunting is pursued as pro-
fession. The four glands OF an verage-sized
specimen are worth $50. The native women
string them on necklaces with beads
When dried they are about the size Of nutmegs
Their scent ia remarkably strong SO that the
living animal can sometimes be smelled at a
considerable distance. The Arabs take great
risks in attacking the crocodile, relying for
protection upon some charm obtained from
priest: but they frequently pay for their daring
with their lives.
There is no escape from the jaws of croco-
uiic Wucu oHCc tucN nave ClOseQ upon a VIC
tim. The sixty-eight teeth, long and sharp
pointed, fit exactly into the interstices between
them, making most effective trap. The throat
Of crocodile is large and capable OF great ex-
pansion. Unquestionably the animal does some
times swallow human beings whole. Mr. Ben
nett In his work on Ceylon, tells about native
who was swallowed while bathing by croco-
die, except the head and one hand, which were
found on the river bank. 1t was inferred that
the unfortunate man had seen the reptile ap-
preaching and had tried to save himself, but
had been overtaken Just as he had grasped an
overhanging tree branch. "A general search
for the monster was ordered" says the writer
(which on the second day proved successful.
Just as our picnic party was about to sit down
to dinner two carts lashed together and con-
tanning the dead reptile, which was seventeen
feet in length, were driven to the door, We
had it opened. whereupon the body Of the
native was taken out and q coroners inquest
was held on the spot"
TERRIFIC POWER OF THE JAWS
Says Sir Samuel Baker: II have seen croeo-
diIes' teeth big enough to form boxes for car
rying percussion caps. The power Of the jaws
Is terrific, and have had the metal of q large
hook bent together SO as to be rendered useless
BY the snap OF the jaws Of one Of these reptiles
when seizing live duck which had used as q
bait, the hook being fastened beneath one wing.
very accurate rife is necessary for shooting
tne crOCOulle, u tuero are only Two points that
are Immediately fatal-just behind the eve and
exactly through the center Of the shoulder. The
latter shot will break both joints OF the fore
legs and pass directly through the lungs. The
hard scales Of crocodues are said to be proof
against rife bullet This may have been the
case years ago when rifles were loaded with
only one drachm Of powder. II was at that date
that the grizzly was considered almost bullet
proof. But hardened, solid bullet, propelled
BY six drachms Of powder, will drive through q
crocodile like q sheet Of paper"
Although the crocodile does not possess
lungs Of extraordinary size, like the hippopo-
tamus, IL can remain beneath the water for
almost any length Of time. II has the power
Of alternating. In many parts OF India these
creatures are buried through the hot season
beneath the dried-up mud ct the bottoms of
lakes. The mud dries and hardens above
them, and they stay thus buried in a torpid
state until releasad by the reilling of the lakes
OF ponds. The female crocodile lays her eggs
in a sand bank near the river to the number Of
Atty or sixty, and, when they are Matched by
the heat Of the SUE, the young ones at once
take to the water. Few persons have An op-
portunity to witness the rapid dash Of q croco-
Ollie when it rushes upon its prey, but, when il
Il considered that fish constitutes its ordinary
food, it may readily be imagined that the
maximum speed Of the reptile must be suffi-
Gent TO overtake the swiftest swimmer.
TWO OF IMMENSE SIZE.