New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03
AUSTRALIAN CROCODILES
FIERCE, CUNNING AND POWERFUL MON.
STEERS OF THE ANTIQUES.

generally termed alligator" though in reality
true crocodile. The head of true alligator is
broader and shorter than that Of The crocodile
There is also considerable difference in the teeth
and their disposition III the jaws. The teeth CT
the alligator are unequal, and the larger Of the
lower canine enters cavity in the upper Jaw
while that of crocodile simply fits into
groove the outside OF the upper jaw. leaving
the tooth clearly visible when the mouth Of the
monster is closed. There also differences
in the webbing of the toes and the form Of the
legs though TO the general observer there is
little OF no difference. Crocodiles seem equally
at home in sal. or fresh water, whilc alligatCrs
don't appear 10 relish. ard rarely visit salt
waters The crocodi!es doubt feed largely
upon fish, but as they grow older and stronger
and require great quantities of food. they will
when hungry. attack anything from sheep
kangaroo 20 a bullock. a big crocodile making
short work of a bullock weighing over half
ton. Some Of these monsters measure as much
as twenty-seven feet IN length. and possess in
mense strength. besides wonderful cunning and
patience. II will lie in wait at any watering
place frequented 10y animals. hardly distinguish
able from log Of wood. 80 still and mpassiye
il has become. The animal coming down to
drink is suddenly seized in the crocodile's huge
Jaws and drawn into the water and drowned.
AT other times the tail is used 10 sweep the
animal into deep water. where even though its
prey may be a eavy bullock. II has little or no
/ chance against its enemy. which is specially
provided 10y nature with an arrangement that
! prevents the water rushing down its huge
throat. even though its jaws are fully distended
through holding its prey. Thus, after few
brief seconds the unequal struggle is over, and
the Sdurlan taxes the carcass III 10" 10 SoiEe
favored locality, Xbere he can enjoy IT at his
leisure
In the early days at Port Darwin. y. T., bath
ing in the open sea forbidden owing e. the
danger from crocodiles there and nearly every.
where else in Australia called alligators though
in reality true alligator exists in Australia
young trooper named Davis. fire swimmer,
disregarded the general order and one morning
early went for swim Far out in the harbor
H. noticed what he and nd others took . to s be
ard washed down in the wet season to the
open sea Out went the strong swimmer nearer
and nearer to the supposed log, until toe late
he recognized his mistake. and that ne vas
approaching instead Of a log huge and APP
parcnty Hstless crocodile. But the knowledge
, came too late 10 be of any service e. poor
Davis. though some men called out 20 him from
a small craft close by to go back" go back"
ard Davis did make ar attempt TO retreat and
was swimming manfully shoreward When ne
huge brute flashed down upon him Al a terrific
speed and. opening his great jaws To their
utm0s, cauaclty came down with a smack mat
was hearS even 10 the shore. and inside their
cruel grasp was Trooper Davis's head. Then.
with the quickncSs common To the saurar il
had disappeared with its victim. Every possible
a,terp; was made 10 recover the body but with
out success. though the harbor was soon alive
with boats. ard the water thrashod around for
a considerable time. Though this means failed
the body was soon afterward found lying
rock or IN hor reef some little distance from
the scene II the accident. The lowering ot the
boats ard the noise Of the beaten water had no
doubt caused the monster to let go his prey.
Crocodiles at night time low and below just
spent some nights in an open boat in Cambridge
Gulf Northwestern Australia. where IN" Whole
place seemed % bc alive with them ana What
with their splastes and cries the weirduess Of
the whole seem. and their close proximity as
they at times rocked the boa,. sleep m
possible for there ere several instances
record whore crp,odiles have taken OF haN. at
;cmrted % :ake men from out Of amps ard
boats \ poor fellow named Reed the mate or
second mate Of the Gulnan. had gone In his |
vessel to some river in Carpentaria Gulf be-
ieve The Roper The vessel YVES At anchor uear
the mouth Of the river Th' mate. Reed Lad
been dispatched n charge OF q watering party,
and was some distance up the tive in a iarge
omen boat Water had been ohta j. and they
we're all ready FOR return to The ship Al be- !
ing made snug the tired fellows turned IN, |
having made their camp in the boat The .
night was n very fine the moon sh ming .
brightly. when toward midnight the sleepns .
I camp was arou sod by some terrific shreks. .
These were the cries of poor Reed. Who. envel- .
oped in his bedding and mosquito curtains vas
being horne off by a crocodile. IL is sad ny .
those who knew him well and accompanied him .
on this and other previous trips that he had
the habit OF sleeping with his foot IN the gun.
vale Of the boat. and doubt this afforded
the crocodile easier opportunity If seiGng
him. All that night and n great par ~ next
day spent in searching for the missing
mans body hut without success
The crocodile has remarkable eye. II can
arrange the pupil to a vertical horizontal po-
sition az will 10 suit its requirement ~ day or
night II has 4 special natural pro'c' ilen 70
the eye. and through duct" escapes Inc
fluid when the monster weeps'. in '1ct ne
n peculiar brute altoge Their with many special
gifts besides his huge jaws that help e. make
OF him the terror he is.
The crocodile LAYS large numhcr ~ essa
which are remarkably small for 80 large
reptile. being Just shade larger thai those oi
tho domestic duck It's nest is huge mound
lof Iop lpa,o 4