Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1908-03-06
A PECULIAR MONSTER
The Fierce Man Eating Crocodile
Of Australia.
A PATIENT, CUNNING GRU7E.

Sometimes Twenty .soven Feet In
Length, viii Tackle Anytime From
Sheep to a half Ton Bullock.
The crocodlle'Of the Nile differs very
little from that Of Australia, which (.
generally termed alligator" though in
reality true crocodile. Tie head or
true alligator is broader ana shorter
than that of the crocodile. There is
also considerable difference IN the teeth
and their disposition IN the Jaws. The
teeth OF an alligator are UNEQUAL. and
the larger Of the lower canine enters
cavity in the upper jaw, while that OF
a crocodile simply fits into groove on
the outside of the upper jaw. LEAVING
the tooth clearly visible when the
mouth Of the monster is closed. Their,
are also differences in the webbing Of
the toes and the form of the legs.
though to the general observer there Is
little or no difference.
The crocodiles no 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 a sheep or kangaroo to
a bullock big crocodile making short
work of bullock weighing over half a
ton. Some of these monsters measure
as much as twenty-seven feet In length
and possess immense strength besides
wonderful cunning and patience. One
will lie in wait at ans watering place
frequented by animals, hardly dis,
tlnguishable from a log of wood, 50
still and impassive 1t has become. The
animal coming down to drink is seized
in the crOcodiles huge jaws and drawn
into the water and drowned. p
At other times the tail is used to
sweep the animal into deep water.
where, even though its prey may be a
heavy bullock, 1t has little or no chance
against its enemy, which Is specially
provided by nature with an arrange
ment that prevents the water rushing
down its huge throat even though its
jaws are fully distended through hold
ing its prey. Thus after a few brief
seconds the unequal struggle is over
and the saurlan takes the carcass In
tow to some favored locality where he
can enjoy 1t at his leisure.
In the early days at Port Darwin,
South Australia bathing In the open
sea was forbidden owing to the danger
from crocodilcs. there and nearly ev-
erywhere else IN Australia called ALI
gators, though in reality no true all
gators exist in Australia. A young
trooper named Davis, tine swimmer.
disregarded the general order and one
morning early went for swim Far
out in the harbor he noticed what ne
and others took to be a doating log.
Many of the northern trees hoat and
are washed down in the wet season to
the open sea. out went the strong
swimmer nearer and near 10 the
supposed log until too late he recos'
nized his mistake and that he was ai''
preaching instead Of log huge ana
apparently listless crocodile,
But the knowledge came too late t"
be of any service to poor Davis, though
some men called out to him from Il
small craft close by to Go back Go
back!" and Davis did make an attempt
TO retreat and was swimming mahtul-
ly shoreward when the huge brute
flashed down upon him at terrlhc
speed and, opening his great jaws 10
their utmost capacity, came down win
a smack that was heard even to the
shore, and inside their cruel grasp was
Trooper Davis head. Then, with the
uuickness common to the saurian' u
had disappeared With its victim.
Crocodlles at nighttime low and PEI
low Just like cattle, especially ike
bulls, and l have spent some hlghts
In an open boat In Cambridge gun
northwestern Australia, where the
whole place seemed TO be alive witn
them. and what with their splashes ah'
cries. the weirdness OF the whole scene
and their close proximity as they ~
times rocked the boat sleep was iInpos
slble. for there are several instances
OH record where crocodiles have taken
or have attempted to take men IRON
out Of camps and boats
A poor fellow named Reed, the mate
or second mate Of the Gulnan' mac
gone In his vessel TO some river IL
CornentarIa gulf believe the Roper
The vessel was at anchor near ths
mouth OF the river. The mate Keeu