Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-23
PROF. REESE'S MISSION
WILL COLLECT ALLIGATOR EGGS
IN THE SOUTH.
Practical determination of the Reptile
is Regarded as As
sured.

Prof. Albert M. Reese of the Syracuse
University has gone to Florida under the
auspices of the Smithsonian Institution to
collect eggs of the alligator with which to
work out its embryology. Subsequently he
will spend some time at the biological lab
oratory of the Carnegie Institution of the
Dry Tortugas, developing his find of this
crocodilan species
Prof. Reese first secured the services of
a native Floridan with whom he was ac-
quatnted to aid him in his hunt for the
eggs.
Orlando Fla, is the headquarters Of the
professor while in his investigation. The
Smithsonian people are fully aware that
the alligator cannot long escape practical
determination. Already they becoming
scarce and the price of the hides has gone
up enormously in the last few years. 1t
seems that no scientific information can be
obtained of the alligator in captivity. AS
member of the Smithsonian staff said. in
speaking of Prof. Reese's mission to Flor
ida, I'VE have the stuffed gator here and
some live ones out at the Geological Park
Haunts of the Alligator.
The alligator is characteristic of the aus
troriparian region, ranging from North Car
DINA to the Rio Grande of Texas. The al
ligator has never been seen in the Missis-
sippi river north of Rodney, Miss, which
is about latitude 32o.
The mother alligator in the early spring
finds a sheltered spot on the bank OF the
stream which she inhabits. and builds
nest of mud and grass, and in this she
lays some eggs. These she covews with an
other layer of grass and mud, upon which
she deposits more eggs and in this way she
continues until sometimes she has laid as
many as forty eggs, which are about the
size of goose egg. The rays OF the sum
mer soon bring to life baby aliigators,
which are led to the water by the mother,
who also provides food for the infant
"'gator." At this early period the little
ones are exposed to many dangers, being
a favorite prey of fishes and turtles
Supply Greatly Reduced.
Twenty-Five years ago this reptile ex-
listed in great abundance in its range, but as
alligator leather became fashionable about
that time the demand thus created has re-
duced the supply by at least 9s per cent
1t is said that a person may travel now
from Jacksonville to Miami Fla, without
seeing a single alligator.
The alligator is the only crocodilian that
is known to utter a vocal sound of any
kind. and that is hoarse below, which
can be heard in the early morning or late
in the evenings and at night. 1t is esi-
mated that 100000 alligators We're killed
in Florida from 1880 to 1894.
The big "'gator" mounted In the National
Museum is over fourteen feet in length and
was captured in Arch creek, Florida, by
Messrs. c. E. Jackson and W. L. Hornady.
The alligator is the only crocodile which
nhabits a country that is visited by killing
frosts and thrives in water warmed to
temperature of between so and 80 degrees F.
DIR. Reese is eminent in his profession,
and in this special mission for the Smith
sonian Institution will give his subject a
thorough and comprehensive investigation.
He will be in Florida several months
when he will return north and make his
report to the Smithsonian board of scien-
fists, through which it will be published.