iiil^V'

mi.

. : ;m

U^^^

W

X

1

■i'f

W

^:^

:^

c^

■'■' & ' ■f^

■% -^

>e

fe'.

-^- — ^ ^^ ^ ^

>

CONTRIBUTIONS reRPBrSSoa "

TO THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF THE

ALLIGATOR.

(CROCODILIIS MISSISSIPPIENSIS.)

WITH A

MICROSCOPIC ADDENDUM.

BY BENNET DOWLEK, M, D. '

^€t

Ambiguous between sea and land;

The scaly Crocodile — Mii.ton

[Reprinted from the New Orleans Medical and Snrgical Journal, Novbr., 1846.]

NEW ORLEANS :

B. M. NORMAN, PUBLISHER,
JOSEPH COHN, PRINTER, 31 POYDRAS STREET,

1846.

7/

CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF THE

ALLIGATOE,

(CROCODILUS MISSISSIPPIENSIS.)

WITH A

MICROSCOPIC ADDENDUM.

BY BENNET DOWLEK, M. D.

Ambiguous between sea and land,

The scalv Crocodile. — Milton.

Reprinted from the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, Novbr., 1846.]

NEW ORLEANS:

B. M. NORMAN, PUBLISHER,

JOSEPH COHN, PRINTER, 31 POYDRAS STREET,

1846.

COiNTRiBUTlONS

TO THE NATURAi. HlSTOiil

OF THE

VLLIGATO

Ambiguous between sea and land ,

The scaly Crocodile Milton.

Tlie Fauna ot' even the most enlightened countries, seenis to labor
iinder the same evil which for ages retarded the progress of medicine,
namely, an undue bias in favor of artificial classifications and nosological
systems. The Crocodilian family affords a strong example of this
arbitrary and illusory method of creating orders, genera, subgenera,
species, and subspecies, in advance of exact physical data. The inte-
gumentary osseous plates, the feet, the claws, the toes, or the teeth,
cannot be assumed as the classific criteria, until these shall be examined
analytically and synthetically; an achievement which remains for the
future, as the sequel will show.

That the Alligator is identical with the Crocodile, can scarcely admit
of a doubt. Even those naturalists who have labored most to establish
a difference, have admitted directly or indirectly, that there is none of a
radical character. As this animal is, nevertheless, modified to some
extent by climate, it may be advantageous to adopt names characteristic
of the same, or at least, of the locality where this great Saurian is
found — as the Nilotic Crocodile, {crocodilus Niloiicus), the Gangetic,
(c. Gangeticus), the Mississippi, (c. Mississippieiisis), and so on. This
topographical nomenclature will, for the present, leave the question of
scientific classification open, as it ought to be, until vague and contradic-
tory descriptions shall be replaced by exact observations.

The aborigines of America, called the Alligator Cayman , the Spani-
ards, Lagarto or lizard; the English, by a corruption of the Spanish, a
Lagarto ; and finally Alligator. The Nilotic Crocodile appears to have

got its name from two Greek words signifying saffron and fear, literally,
saffron-fearer. Hence the Egyptians placed saffron near their bee-hives
to drive off the Crocodile. "The sovereign power of saffron," says
Fuller, "is plainly proved by the antipathy of Crocodiles thereunto."

In this paper it is not intended to give the anatomy, physiology, and
habits of the Alligator in systematic detail, but to point out some impor-
tant facts in its history, freed from the trammels of artificial classification,
and to correct certain errors, which, for several thousand years, have
been accumulating, until the herpetological account of this saurian has,
at length, become as fabulous as that of the Griffon itself.

Men who have but one idea — be that calomel, quinine, or venesec-
tion, and who, under the pretence of being practical, reject every other
inquiry as " stale, flat and unprofitable," will, no doubt, think that croco-
dilian investigations are unworthy of their attention. It were easy to
show that comparative anatomy, physiology, and pathology, afford an
inexhaustible mine of useful know ledge, especially to the practical phy-
sician.

Dr. Good, an accomplished scholar and a voluminous medical writer,
speaks of " Zoology as something on which v/e may perpetually dwell
with new and glowing delight, and new and growing improvement ; a
combination of allurements that draw us, and fix us, and facinate us
with a sort of paramount and magical captivity."

The dying moments of Sir Humphrey Davy were devoted to reflec-
tions upon the electrical JisJies, the electricity of which he supposed to be
sui generis. Being unable, then, to test this experimentally, he enjoined
upon his brother. Dr. John Davy, to perform experiments with that
view, upon the torpedo, the gymnotus, and the silurus electricus. A cor-
respondent of the Western Journal of Medicine for August, 1846, writes
from London, that the distinguished Professor Grant is delivering a
course of lectures on Zoology in that city, in which he speaks of the
habits of the oyster, and the circulation of a lobster, with ail the fire of
a temperance lecturer.

In modern times, expeditions, at the national expense, have been sent
to explore the natural history of different countries — one of the most
remarkable of which, was that under Napoleon, in Egypt. That learned
and colossal work. Description de L^Egyj^fe, was written, as it were,
amid the clang of arms. If that was a sublime thought to which Napo-
leon gave utterance just before the battle of the Pyramids, when, pointing
to the summits of those mysterious monuments, he told the army that
forty centuries were then looking down upon them : — " Songez que du
liaid de ces monumens quarante siicles vous contemplent /" how much
more sublime was the spectacle within the walls of the Egyptian Insti-
tute, where the soldier laid down the sword for the pen, and after a hard
fought battle, resumed the profoundest studies on the sciences, arts, and
natural history of ancient and modern Egypt. It is remarkable that
these mammoth folios, descriptive and pictorial, left an unexplored field
in which Samuel George Morton, M. D., of Philadelphia, has gathered

lasting honors— the fiold of Skulls — the crania i^GYPTiCA, trom which
is deduced the ethnograpiiic characters of the primitive races of that
country, the Caucasian and negro, with their varieties. The invading
army under General Taylor, might now accomplish for Mexico,* what
the French Expedition did for Egypt, and what the United States Explor-
ing Expedition has done, at the expense of millions of treasure, for the
icy continent of eternal sterility in the antarctic ocean, and what the
authorities of New York have done, on a scale of surpassing magni-
ficence, in the illustration of the geology, and Fauna of that opulent
State. Honor to the citizens who authorised, and to the naturalists who
executed, this last mentioned work ! The other twenty-eight sisters may
look upon it with envy, or rather with generous emulation.

The Fauna of Louisiana is still among the desiderata. Our birds
have found an able historian in Mr. Audubon, whose work has shed an
imperishable lustre on the nineteenth century. A foreign writer, in
alluding to the imperceptible insects, exclaims — " there is not a single
species that does not of itself deserve a historian !" Ehrenberg devoted
ten years to the Infusoria alone. Is such a study dry ? Is it not rather
the Pierian spring — the true Helicon ? If we admit with one author, that
man is to be distinguished from brutes by his power of laughing or smiling,f
has not the author of the Wandering Jew^ said, "there are so many kinds
of smiles, who can discover the false from the real ?" — if with another,
that language is the most distinguishing trait — has not Talleyrand said
that " language was given to man to conceal his thoughts ]" Such are
not the moral lessons derived from the inferior, or, as they are scornfully
called, h'rational animals. Their natural language is as sincere as it is
true.

Without entering on questions of orders, genera, and species, I will
give, in a desultory manner, descriptions of the Alligator, as taken from
five of these animals placed at my disposal, in the months of March and

* It is now nearly half a century, since the learned Humboldt cast a scien-
tific glance over Mexico ; and, although much of his account, statistical, social,
political, and scientific, is now obsolete, it is, nevertheless, for general reference,
the best that can be found. Messrs. Stephens and Korman, have explored
some portions of tbe Mexican territories. As it regards anfiquilies and ruins,
their discoveries have thrown their cotemporaries in the back ground. Palmyra
and the Pyramids, are probably destined to become secondary objects, if we may
judge from the presageful glimpses of these researches. Mr. Kendall's inte-
resting sketches of another portion of that Republic, present views of the
domestic and social condition of a population, in which little more than the
prestige of civilization actually exists. The country has been immortalized
historically, by the pen of Mr. Prescott. But v/here is its Flora, its Fauna, its
mineralogy, its geology ? Mexico, in those respects, needs an exploring ex-
pedition more than even Louisiana, for which, neither Royal nor Republican
masters, have, as yet, done any thing Vv^orth mentioning.

t Milton seems to have adopted this theory :

'• Smiles from reason floio.

To brides denied:''

April; or rather, I will, for convenience, restrict myseltMo the two
largest of these, as affording fairer results. They were from ten to
eleven feet long, and from three to four feet in circumference, in the
thickest part of the body. They corresponded with others, some larger
and some smaller, which I have casually examined. The two I allude
to, were examined several times daily, with much and prolonged atten-
tion. They were kept in cages or boxes, the bottoms and a portion of
the sides of which were watertight, the residue being lattice work, or
rather bars, which admitted wind, rain, and sun. The animals were
sometimes kept partly immersed, and sometimes quite dry, during the
periods of examination. During many of the observations on temperature
of the gullet, aud on the digestion of food, the mouth was opened, and
was retained so by strong levers, in order to facilitate the experiments,
and to prevent the crushing of the arm, &c.

The upper jaw is wider than the under, v/hich it overlaps. The latter
lias forty teeth, none of which are grinders, as asserted by Professor
Owen — none are cutting or incisor teeth, as they are described to be by
Goldsmith. The teeth of the upper jaw are similar in number and
structure.

The Cuvierian classification is based on the teeth, which this author
says, " are for the Alligator, thirteen on each side of the upper jaw.
The fourth tooth, on each side of the under jaw^, enters a hole in the
upper."

Professor Edwards, of Paris, in his work on Zoology, (p. 367) char-
acterises the Nilotic Crocodile by its dental organization, but in the
very same page, gives these identical characteristics, by vdiich to dis-
tinguish the Alligator. Both are recognised by the fourth tooth, one on
each side of the lower jaw, as entering sockets in the upper ; an excellent
example of a distinction without a difference, not unlike Shakspeare's
two lovers :

'' Two dSstincts, division none."

Professor Owen, of London, is quoted in the British and Foreign
Medical Review, for January, 1846, as maintaining, in his recent work
on Odontography, that "the Crocodile has as many as four generations
of molar feeth.^'' Buffon's account of the teeth agrees with Cuvier's.
Geoffrey St. Hilaire, naturalist to the Egyptian Expedition, enumerates
36 in the upper, and 30 in the lower jav/, all of which, according to his
engraving, (pi. 2, croc, vulg.) are long and conical. Now, the facts are
these : in both jaws there are 80 teeth, nearlyhalf of these, that is 36 or
38, are short blunt teeth, rising but little above the gum, wholly different
from grinders — never being worn — occupying the interspaces between
the long conical teeth, M'hich latter amount to 42 or 44, and are round,
white, polished, tapering, salient, and projc^ct from the gum nearly an
inch, usually exceeding a quarter of an inch in diameter. As the lower
jaw is less expanded than the upper, its long teeth, 20 to 22 in number,
are received, not only within the dental range of the upper jaw, hut Jit
into as many holes in the latter. Instead, therefore, of two long teeth
fitting into two sockets, there are never less than 20 long teeth fitting into
as many sockets in the roof of the mouth — an arrangement which totally

9

prevents the possibility of using grinders, did any really exist. More-
over the teeth of the two jaws are not opposite each other. Hence,
grinders would be wholly useless. It is evident that these, as well as all
the other naturalists whose works I have seen, are wrong in every essen-
tial particular relating to the dental apparatus.

Both sets of long, pointed teeth, penetrate plank and wood of all kinds,
unless extremely hard. The crushing power of the jaws is vertical, not
lateral or grinding. Both jaws present, along their dental or alveolar
margins, an undulating or curving line, which, in the Nilotic Crocodile,
seems more salient, if I may judge from the engravings of St. Hilaire, and
a few others. The teeth correspond to this undulation, as does one jaw
to the other. The general bearing of this line is several degrees above
the horizon, commencing at the muzzle, and running backward to the
posterior angle of the mouth. The form and situation of the dental organs,
together with the osteological configuration of the jaws, vqwAqy grinding
operations quite impossible. The animals found in the stomachs of
Alligators, examples of which will be given, show that their prey is
killed by penetrating bayonet-like wounds, and are swallowed without
mastication. The crushing and prehensory power of the jaws and teeth,
is as remarkable as it is unquestionable.

To classify the crocodilian family by its dental organization, is alto-
gether erroneous, so long as the shape, situation, arrangement and num-
ber of the teeth are not as yet ascertained. Scarcely any two authors
agree in so simple a matter as the number of the teeth. Goldsmith says
there are 27 in the upper and 15 in the lower jaw, and the authors already
quoted, all give different aggregates.

As this animal has no lips, its teeth, especially in the upper jaw, are
naked and salient, even when the mouth is shut, contributing much to its
hideous physiognomy, and have probably prejudiced naturalists against
its character.

Herodotus, Pliny, Aristotle, and many more modern savans, including
certain French academicians, assert that the upper jaw moves indepen-
dently of the head, though both are known to constitute a continuous
mass of bone, without any flexible articulation. I have for hours forced
the jaws asunder by levers, elevating the upper jaw, and with it the
head. The cranium, and the superior maxillary bone, constitute a con-
tinuous pyramidal mass of osseous matter, the base of which is the skull,
and the apex the muzzle.

Here a digression becomes necessary, the propriety of which can
hardly be called in question, by any one who may do me the honor to
read the same with attention. My crocodilian researches have led me
to attribute most of the errors (so servilely copied for twenty-two cen-
turies), to Herodotus, whom Cicero so justly calls the Father of History.
From what this author has said concerning the ears of the Crocodile, I
infer that he never saw one of these animals. His account is very brief,
and may be found in Euterpe, a name which his second book received
in a manner so flattering to himself, and so honorable to the discrimina-
tion of the Greeks, who, having heard his nine books read at the Olympic
games, named them by acclamation after the nine Muses.

In the huge folios of Natural History, produced by the French expe-

2

10

(litioii into Egypt, there is an elaborate hiatory of the Crocodile, and
which might be entitled, A Defence of the Errors of Herodotus;
by GeoilVoy St. Hilaire, naturalist to the expedition. It is doubtful whe-
ther any of the sara/js of the expedition saw or examined a Crocodile
in Egypt. Certain it is that they have added nothing original to its
natur^Iil history. St. Hilaire appears to have picked up all his informa-
tion at the fisheries, from people more likely to deceive him than other-

wise.

This able physiologist, lately numbered with the mighty dead, may
have excelled his predecessors in certain branches of natural history,
especially that portion so peculiarly his own, relating to Monstrosity, or
the deviations of nature in the animal kingdom, which he has reduced, in
a great degree, to order, regularity and harmony. With all his reverence
for Herodotus, he sometimes differs from the old Greek, but never when
the latter is wrong, and nearly always when he is right. Herodotus says,
the Crocodile is truly amphibious ; no, says St. Hilaire, not " lui verl-
tabic amphibie.'' And how does the French Herodotus prove this?
Answer, ye who import facts, philosophy, and logic from Paris — the
modern Athens ! The Crocodile is not a true amphibium. Hence,
says he, it is in a false position among animals ! It is unsuited by nature
either to live in the air or in the water ! Plence, it is never satisfied,
and is always restless ; and this, says the great naturalist of the expe-
dition, is the reason why the Crocodile is always ferocious, always cruel!
And this is the argument of one of the principal sacans, whose works,
otherwise very learned and valuable, have on the title pages the folloAv-
ing words : " Public par les ordres de sa Majesty VEmperear Napoleon,

Le Grand.^'

Herodotus satisfied St. Hilaire, and St. Hilaire has satisfied the later
naturalists, who continue to copy the blunders of the former and the latter,
occasionally adding some on their own account, as will be seen hereafter.
These errors have increased, are increasing, and ought to be checked,
or rather, consigned to oblivion.

Herodotus declared the Crocodile could move the upper jaw only.
Pliny copied the statement. " The Crocodile only moveth the upper jaw
or mandible, wherewith he biteth hard. (Holland's Pliny b. Vllf.) ^ St.
Hilaire is much embarrassed with this statement, which he does not fully
admit, and which he tries to explain in a very unsatisfactory way.

Herodotus denied a tongue to the Crocodile. Pliny says, " the river
Nilus nourishes the Crocodile, a venomous creature, as dangerous upon
water as upon land. This beast alone, of all that keep the land, hath no
use of a tongue — iinuni hoc animal terrestre lingua', usu caret. (Lib. VIII).
Scarcely dissenting from Herodotus, St. Hilaire says that the Crocodile
seems to have no tongue. The Professor of Natural History to the Royal
College of Henry IV, H. Milne Edwards, in his new work Elem^ns de
la Zoologie, says that the tongue is indistinct — "pew distincte /"

The tongue at its tip, including its outer third with its frenum is pale,
thin, flabl^y, wrinkled and adherent underneath, along its whole width,
appearing to have but little motion. It is truly tongue-tied. The middle
third becomes massive, and begins to assume a roseate hue. The base
or inner third is enormously developed, being thick, wide and strong,
filling the mouth, and being moveable upward and backward. When

11

the mouth is forcibly opened, even to the greatest extent, the posterior
portion of the tongue is thrown up against the roof of the mouth, just
before the palatine arches, so as to act as a valve, completely closing the
passage to the pharynx, presenting from one angle of the mouth to° the
other internally, an even horizontal line. This arrangement must com-
pletely exclude water and the like from entering the posterior fauces — a
wise provision of nature, because, having no lips, the water must always
enter the mouth, when the animal is in its favorite element. It is very
seldom that this valve fails, even when the mouth is widely opened for a
long period, as an hour or more. This pressure I have often overcome,
with a slight force, when passing the thermometer and food into the
posterior fauces and gullet. The upper surface or dorsum of the
tongue is rough, from large papillary elevations, which are less developed
at the tip, but larger or redder towards the base, where, also, the sali-
vary secretion begins first to show itself, but the isthmus of the palate,
and the posterior fauces only, are well supplied with that fluid. The roof
of the mouth is white, dotted over with a few dark spots, rough, firm,
almost leather-like, and almost dry, except near the velum or palate,
where it is lubricated with mucosity.

Herodotus says, that insects (iSSsXXol, hirudo,) or, as translators
have It, leeches, by getting into the Crocodile's mouth, suck its blood,
and It dies exhausted. In good faith, he naively relates, that the Trochilus*
IS the only animal that lives in peace with the Crocodile, into whose
mouth it is in the habit of going to pick out these insects— in conside-
ration of this service, the grateful Crocodile never injures the Trochilus,
St. Hilaire believed, nay proved this story, if we are to credit the Royal
Professor of Natural History, in the College of Henry IV, at Paris. He
says in his Zoology (1837), That the enemies which the Crocodile fears
are feeble insects ; but, singular thing ! little birds go to deliver him from
this plague, and entering his mouth without fear, destroy these insects.
" Cefait, observe par Herodote et ensinte traite de fable, a €te confirm^
de nos jours par M. Geoff roy Sainte Hilaire qui accompagna VEmpereur
en Egypte. C'est une espece de pluvier qui rend au Crocodile du Nil ce
service int^ress^, et aux Antilles le todier a des liahiiudes analogues /"
(p. 367). A modern sailor, who, returning home, told his mother that
m his travels he had seen flying fish, was reproached for telling a false-
hood, whereupon he said, that one day in drawing up his anclfor in the
Red sea, he brought up one of the wheels of Pharaoh's chariot, a state-
ment which his mother admitted without hesitation. Verhum sat
sapienti.

It is a pity to spoil so good a story — one so honorable to the politeness
of the feathered race, and so creditable to the reptilian character. An
English Baronet, Sir G. Wilkinson, in his late superb work on Egypt,
(London, 1843,) avers " that leeches do not abound in the Nile T

That insects should kill Crocodiles may be true. Indeed Dr. Young,
of New Orleans, informed me that a young Alligator, which he had kept

* In that magnificent work, "The New York Fauna, Mr. De Kay, gives
Trochilus as the generic name of the humming bird. Mr. Anthon, in his
antiquities says, " The Trochilus is the motacella regidus, or golden crested
wren.

12

some time, was killed l>y ants, which, collecting on the top of the head,
perforated the skin. It was supplied with water, which it refused to
enter.

The soft Palate has not, as in the human subject, a central, pendant
uvula, but an arching fissure, on each side of which, and nigher the
ani^les of the mouth, is found a structure somewhat similar.

Upon the whole, the tongue is large, excepting only its tip, and, if the
Egyptians worshipped the crocodile because it was tonguelcss, they
were not wise. " The crocodile was adored^ " says Bishop Warbur-
ton, "])ccause having no tongue, it was made in hieroglyphic writing
the symbol of the Divinity."

Herodotus says, that the Eye of the crocodile is like that of the hog !
— a most faulty comparison. The eyes of the Alligator are rather pro-
minent than large, being situated but little below the summit level of the
head. The Pupil is greatly elongated — scarcely less than an inch
vertically, exceeding the horizontal diameter ten or fifteen times — an
arrangement, which in connection with the salient position of the eye in
a projecting socket, must give it an immense range of vision — probably
from the zenith to 45 degrees below the horizon. Contrary to the
assertion of Herodotus, it is highly probable that it sees well in water.
When it wishes to protect its eyes, a dense, semi-transparent, blueish,
nictitating membrane is thrown over the globe. The Cornea comprises
all that part of the eye, which is visible under ordinary circumstances.
But when the neck is twisted, so as to give pain, a very small crescentic
part of the white of the eye, {tunica albuginea), is sometimes seen. The
eye, so far as I have observed, is constantly open, even during apparent
sleep.

The Iris is dark, variegated with brown. The cornea occupying the
whole front, is exceedingly transparent and lustrous. Excepting the
' imperfection of the eyelids and the absence of lashes, the eye is well
worthy of the attention of the poets, as well as the Gazelle's ; — indeed.
Dr. Aikin has ventured to write poetry on the crocodile's ^'■burnished
eyes.^^ As this was all theory with him, and right only by accident,
he deserves no credit for it. He had adopted, like many critics, an
erroneous opinion, namely, that the Levi/ithaji, described in the forty-
first chapter of Job, is the crocodile of our era. "His eyes," says Job,
are like the eye-lids of the morning." — No one has a right to dispute
with Job on natural history. Nor is there any reason so to do. The
scales of the animal, he describes, cover all parts of the body, "as with
a close seal. One is so near another, that no air can come between
them. They are joined one to another, they stick together that they
cannot be sundered. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold :
the spear, the dart, &lc. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as
rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee ; slingstones are turned
with him into stubble. Darts are counted as stubble ; he laugheth at
the shaking of a spear. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons ?"
[sec what is said of the skin and osseous, integumentary plates in the
sequel.] "He maketh the deep to boil like a pot ; he maketh the sea
like a pot of ointment" — a proof that he was not of the crocodilian fam-
ily, which is only found in lakes, rivers, lagoons and swamps, not in the
ocean.

13

The Edinburgh Encycl., the Encycl. Americana, Sclieuchzer in his
Physica Sacra., Dr. Young of England, and the author of the Bridge wa-
ter treatise on Animals, in asserting the identity of these animals, and,
that the description of the one "is clearly" the description of the other,
have committed a grave error, instead of serving the cause of the faith-
ful, or elucidating the natural history of the book of Job.

Among the many fabulous accounts of this reptile, not the least defa-
matory and false is that concerning its want of Sincerity. It is said to
be a hypocrite, and that its tears are false. Hear an old poet :
"As cursed crocodile most cruelly can tole,
With truthless tears unto his death, the silly pitying soul."

Fuller declares that "the crocodile's Tears are never true, unless
forced by the influence of saffron." I have seen the detestable juice of
tobacco tried, by a negro, who, spirted his saliva m its eyes, as correctly
as Boz could wish, but without producing any tears ; it only enraged the
animal — an example worthy of the imitation of the great Primate, con-
cerning whose spitting Mr. Dickens has written so well. — An alligator
has no deceit. If he hates you, he will hiss you to your face.

This reptile's eye has not, even in the midst of fear, any of that wild,
staring appearance, in which the white portion is displayed by both men
and animals. Nor is there any of that fiery, injected, rolling appea-
rance expressive of anger and ferocity, which poets and painters dwell
upon so frequently.

The Ear^ if we follow Herodotus, must be a very prominent organ.
An Alligator sent to Louis XIV, was examined by the French savans,
who were quite astounded at not finding the Herodotian ears, though it
is doubtful whether they believed their own senses in opposition to so
great an authority ! — The ear is found with difficulty by the uninitiated.
It begins near the posterior angle of the eye, just above the Suborbital
Fissure — which latter commences anterior to the globe, running below
it, in a horizontal, longitudinal direction, diverging backward, correspond-
ing to the expansion of the head, being nearly an inch in depth and in width.
The ear is a valve-like slit, fitting so accurately, that probably no water
can enter. The animal seems either to have no power, or no inclination
to open this valve. It must be opened with a thin edged lever as an
oyster. It is about two inches long, the same in depth, presenting a
reddish white, flat surface, inclined to the horizon 25 "^ to 35 ® , corres-
ponding to the plane of the cranium. There is no external auricle or
cavity — no external pavilion — no apparatus suited for the reception of
pendant ornaments, with which fable has loaded this organ.* — Both the
ears and eyes are from three to four inches apart.

The Nosti'ils are very small — less than half an inch in their grea-
test diameter — oblong, opening about one and a half inches from
each other, and the same distance from the tip of the snout, are
used in breathing equally wdth the mouth.

The Neck is less than a foot in length, being much larger at its cra-
nial than at its dorsal end. Near the mouth there is an integumentary
Pouch-like enlargement, which might, perhaps, be called a cheek. But,

*The Rev. Dr. Russel, in his book on Egypt, (Fam. Lib. v. 23d, 1836,)
says, that the crocodile's ears are broad I

14

ns ii is oppo!=:ito the phnrvnx, it may ])e n kind of crop — or reservoir, in
^vhich food is temporarily deposited ^vllcn the animal does not wish to
swallow. It will be seen, that I have placed large masses of meat and
hone in this region, quite hehind the palate, where they remained until
withdrawn.

Judn-ing from external appearances, the neck has five VerfebrcB or
articulations. The head, neck and trunk do not equal the caudal ex-
tremity in leno-th : the ajrjrreo-ate number of vertehraj in the former may
be estimated at 25 or 30 — that of the latter still higher. The first ten
or twelve caudal joints are nearly level for two inches in width, over
their superior surface, along the outer margin of which, that is on each
side, a serried, acute row of bony processes arise about two inches
high. As these recede from the trunk, they converge until they fuse
into one perpendicular, central, cre&ted ridge, v.hile at the same time
the sides of the tail become more and more compressed, until the whole
ends in a thin edge, having a Axrtical diameter of several inches.

The Z/Co- seems wholly disproportioncd to the size of the body, and is
really very feeble, being easily held, so that the animal cannot withdraw
it from the grasp. The foreleg is from twelve to eighteen inches long,
and is not as thick as a ijoy's arm at ten years old. The hind legs are
a little larger. There seems to be no great credulity im^plied in the be-
lief of the story often repeated and pictured, even in scientific works, by
which a man is represented in South America as mounting on the back
of an alligator and using the two forelegs, which he drev»^ over the back,
as a bridle. But as to guiding the animal with this sort of bridle, every
one must think for himself.

The Hands, feet, or paws bear some resemblance to those of man
and of some birds. Tbe forefeet have five fingers, of which the three
first or inner, have long bird like claws ; the two outer, none. The hind
feet have four fingers, the three fi.rst or inner of which have strong,
curved, tapering claws. There is a slight webbing betvreen the second
and third, and a full one betv.ecn the third and fourth fingers of the fore
feet, counting from within. The outer or little finger of the hind legs,
joins tlie next or ring finger, with a web for half its length or one inch.
Now whoever will take the trouble to consult authors, vrill find nothing
but confusion and contradiction on this simple matter — even by those
who base their classifications on the feet.

In the London Encyclopaedia of 1845, there is an incorrect engraving
of the Alligator, representing all the toes completely webbed. In the new
Parisian editions of the works on Natural History, by Lacepede, and
by Prof. Edwards, not a vestige of v/ebbing is seen among the toes at
all ! The Encyclopaedia Americana says, all the fingers or toes have
dates! *'Their feet," says Cuvier, "are only semipalmate," None of
these accounts are correct. — The Slcin has numerous, longitudinal, trans-
verse seams, dividing the integument into square figures. Notwith-
standing these seams or fissures, which render the skin uneven, it is
rather smooth, polished and not very hard, except where the bony plates
are found, that is upon the upper part of the trunk.

Omitting the microscopic history of the Cuticle for the present, I
come to the osseous, integimientary Plates — a most prominent feature,
and one that has been resorted to for criteria, in giving the distinctive

15

features of this; aiii'iial. iti an elaborate treatise on llerpetology, in
Brewster's Encyclopaedia, these plates serve as the basis ol' scientific
classification : " Crocodilus Mississippiensis : Muzzle broad and flat-
tened : four carinated scales disposed in a square upon the neck." This
is the entire description, and is again repeated, and applied to the Alli-
gator.

I will here give an account of one of these plates, taken from the
middle of the body. It is of a medium size, much smaller and more re-
gular than those of the neck, though larger than some others which be-
loncr to the inferior rows alonsr the sides. It was taken fi'om a skin
which had been dried for many years. A maceration of six weeks
caused all the soft tissues to separate. The plate proved white and
heavy ; smooth internally, though apparently marked with the cutaneous
fibres — perforated with a few minute holes admitting a bristle only ;
the general configuration (seen from within), sOjUare ; each border about
two inches long ; having rough, suture like margins, from one to three
lines thick. The exterior surface is so curiously figured, and withal so
irregular as to dety description. The plate rises gradually on three
sides ; abruptly on the fuiirlh, forming a carinated ridge, being in the
central portion nearly one inch high, having about 75 blind holes or de-
pressions sinking from one to three lines into the bone, some of which
are laro-e enouijh to receive half of a small pea : others look like shallow
sockets from which teeth have been extracted. On the smnmit of the ca-
rinated ridge are innumerahle small holes, not half as large as a hair. —
This plate was dried in the sun, and after fourteen months, it weighed
686 grains (Apoth. v/eight). Its specific gravity was ascertained, most
carefully, by Mr. Curtius,'*' (apothecary.) and myself, and was found to
be 2.057.

The skin from which this plate was taken, presented ten larger, with
some smaller ones on the neck ; the first row on the trunk, nearest the
spine, amounted to 18 ; the second to 15 ; the third to 11 ; the fourth
to 6. In another alligator, about 11 feet long, I counted on the right
side: first rov/, 17; second 17; third 8; left side, first row 17; second
and third rows, irregular in arrangement, situation, size and number.
In another, upon which 1 experimented, the first row gave 15 ; the se-
cond 15 ; the third 18 ; the fourth 8. M. Geoffrey St. Hiiaire's plate,
so far as I can determine, gives for one side : first row, 12 ; second,
third, fourth and fifth, each 16 ; the sixth, 6 ; with five larger and som.e
smaller on each side of the neck. (PI. 2. Croc, viilg. Hist, Nat.) Are
not the number of plates in some degree proportioned to the age of the
animal, as the number of rattles are in the rattle snake {croiolus hor-
ridiis) ']

The skin of the alligator, denuded of its cuticle, is white, and, except-
ing' that portion protected by plates, is so penetrable, that I have found
no difficulty in dividing it in the living state, and, that too, with the com-
mon lancet, the edge of which was not injured or blunted by the opera-

* This yoimg gentleman, (vvhose knowledge is not restricted to the com-
pounding of drugs, but embraces a large portion of the physical sciences.)
adopted a very simple and satisfactory m.ethod of expelling the air from this
most porous of bones, in order to give its specific gravity Avith accuracy.

16

tioii. Here, at the least, the maxim, that m hat every body says, must
be true, tails completely. In Brewster's Encyclopaedia it is said, that
" this animal's hide is generally impenetrable to a leaden musket ball.
It is, however, more vulnerable in the belly, and a bullet discharged
down the throat or in the eyes, is tlital. The negroes in the river Se-
negal attack this husre animal cither when asleep, or in shallows where
its swimming is impeded, and by forcing an oxhide in its mouth, the
water flows in, while heavy blows are given on the head to stun it, and
it is drowned."

" In Louisiana, the natives contrive to thrust a piece of wood, pointed
at both ends, into the throat, or when rushing upon the assailants, its
wide mouth is met by a large stake, which is forcibly thrust down, and it
is speedily destroyed. Several leaden bullets, even when they pene-
trate, are sometimes insufficient to kill, unless when they reach the
brain, the spine, or some of the large blood vessels. Iron balls are
recommended."

St. Hilaire maintains that lead will not kill ! So does the Encyclo-
paedia Americana, in which, it is said, that " the body, above and below
the entire length, is covered with plates" — " impenetrable to a musket
ball." Goldsmith's Natural History, (a text book in our schools), is, if
possible, still more extravagant in its details : " A negro goes into the
water armed Avith a knife, having his arm bound with a cow's hide ; the
animal swallows the arm most greedily ; a hole is cut in the throat; the
water rushes in and drowns it, bloating it as big as a tun." Examples,
of a similar kind, might be multiplied, were it necessary. So much for
theory, which here, as in many other cases, is stronger than the testi-
mony of the five senses !

Now I will engage to kill an Alligator, not merely with the " bare
bodkin" of which Hamlet speaks, but with a common lancet. The
animal is easily killed. Dr. Lindsay, formerly a resident in the
country, recently informed me, that some years since, while he and his
two companions were pursuing a wounded deer, ten miles from Baton
Rouge, in Louisiana, the party came on a den or aimy of Alligators, all
of which not only appeared indiflerent to their approach, but incapable
of being frightened. The gentlemen dismounted, secured their horses,
and divided their ammunition, which, though abundant in powder, was res-
tricted in lead to 450 buckshot. It was determined to use only three of
the latter for a charge. Each man had, therefore, fifty rounds. Each
standing quite near the animals, began the work of destruction ; each
shot proved fatal. The animals died quickly, in from two to five minutes.
They jerked, trembled, turned on one side, and held up one of their
quivering hands and died. When the last shot was fired, the survivers
lay quietly, unterrified, unconcerned. This spot was often visited after-
wards, but no Alligators were ever seen there for years. Dr. L. esti-
mates the iuiml)er of these animals which he has killed, at diflerent times,
at five hundred ! Mr. Audubon, the ornithologist, says — that a Louisiana
negro will kill a dozen of large Alligators in one evening, cutting off the
head with a single blow of the axe, for the purpose of obtaining the oil.
(Buflbn's Nat. Hist. Am. Edit.) On some occasions he holds a Ian-
guage somewhat dissimilar. He says, " When Alligators are about to
go into winter quarters, a child may mount them as a wooden rocking

OSSEOUS PLATE
or THE alligator's skin.

(Natural size — See description, page 15.)

Fig. 1— -External view.

Fig. 2 — Profile view.

17

horse." Several gentiemen have informed me that in digging canals,
and in making roads, they have opened the buiTows of Alligators, and
have been obliged to remove them out of their way : on one occasion, an
Alligator had been wounded by a man who was not aware of it at the
moment — the animal ran some distance with the man, who had acciden-
tally fallen astride on its back.

I am credibly informed, that when hunters camp out in the forest, the
Alligators of the neighboring waters watch for the offal of the camp, during
which they are often easily noosed with the lasso, and are then dragged
from the water by horses.

The following case, which may be fully relied on, shows that Alli-
gators do not bear herculian doses of physic : Mr. I., an educated
gentleman, engaged in the study of medicine, living near Fort Pike, in
Louisiana, having observed, in 1845, a recent "Alligator's wallow," and
having at the same time killed a snake, he opened its abdomen, into
which he inserted about three grains of strychnine, carefully enveloped
in several folds of letter paper, Vv hich, being properly secured, the snake
was left for the Alligator, which, the next day, was found dead, with its
abdomen turned up. The snake had disappeared. The Alligator had
been poisoned.

Alligators commit errors of diet. The following is a fatal instance : A
gentleman of the State of Mississippi informed me, that having been, with
others, on a hunting excursion, one of the party finding that the whiskey
bottle, which he had been carrying, was now empty, he threw it to an
Alligator which was swimming near, in a lagoon. The animal suddenly
seized and crushed it. On returning to the same place in a few days
after, the animal was found dead, with its abdomen greatly distended and
turned upward. A physician being present, it was determined to make
a post mortem examination. Broken fragments of the bottle, with putrid
fish, were found in the stomach and bowels. These organs were, in
many places, quite mortified, and emitted a foetor, so horrible, that my
informant was nauseated, and which, in his opinion, caused the doctor's
sickness and death — occurrences which took place soon after the post
mortem examination.

I have examined several wounds which Alligators had received during
the conflict in which they were captured. The following is a good
example of Crocodilian liypercEmia or inflammation : A torn and con-
tused wound, of two or three inches in length, between the fingers, was
tumefied, but without redness* Granulations appeared, coated over with
a dense transparent exudation, not flakey, but resembling half coagulated
albumen. On touching these, the animal expressed great pain, with-
drawing its limb and blowing loudly. Another foot which had been
bruised and swollen, without any breach of the skin, presented extensive
exfoliations of the cuticle, leaving the true skin white. Some recent
bruises on the muzzle and in the mouth, together with an incision which
I made in the back with the lancet, discharged a little thin, pale, scarlet
colored blood. The general hue incidental to inflammation in man,
did not occur. It was ichite — analagous types of which do sometimes
happen in ordinary practice, as in white swelling, phlegmasia dolens,
and in some fatal cases of glottidian and laryngeal hypersemia, in which
the submucous tissue is white, though swelled and infiltrated with Ivm-

3

la

phy, serous, and purulent matter. I have found the epiglottis a mere
sack, containing pus, though Uanched. Hence, the necessity of changing
the technology of pathological anatomy. Inflammation is, to some
extent, a theoretical word, implying redness and so forth, which may not
be essential to its physical history, an evil which may be greatly lessened
by using words designating j^hysical changes only, as cohesion, softening,
brittleness, induration, size, figure, vascularity, injection, collapse, infiltra-
tion, and the like. In medicine, words, [prescriptions], are things,
which blacken the body with leeches, blanch it with venesections, or
modify its organization with the concentrated preparations of medical
chemistry.

The Crocodilian Respiration is very irregular ; I might say, sometimes
altogether suspended tor indefinite, or at least, very long periods, when
the animal is not disturbed. The method I have adopted to prove this,
is as perfect as could be de-sired. For several days, two large Alligators
were so placed in their cages, that the v.ater covered the mouth and
nostrils completely. They lay perfectly still. There was no movement
of the w^alls of the trunk. The least movement must have agitated the
water. Every steamboat or dray that came near, caused slight undula-
tions or waves — the Alligators none, when left unmolested, which, how-
ever, seldom happened, as persons frequently came near. On several
occasions no interruptions occurred for half an hour, or even an hour.
When they arc annoyed, and wish to scold or frighten their enemies,
they make deep inspirations, inflating their bodies very largely — -this air
they discharge in low bass notes, or rather with a bellows hissing sound,
several times in a minute. There can scarcely be a doubt that one
inspiration supplies a stock of air for hours, if not for days. Herodotus
was right in considering this animal as a true amphibium, and, of course,
St. Hilaire is w rong in denying it, as is Mr. Kirby, in his Bridgewater
treatise on Animals, wherein, he asserts, that "the Crocodile cannot
remain more than ten minutes under M'ater,'' (p. 418). Some illustrative
facts might be produced. " Tortoises have lived more than a month
with their jaws closely tied, and their nostrils stopped with wax."
(Ed. Ency.) "The hedge-hog, according to Professor Mongili, respires
from five to seven times in a minute ; but in a room, at 54% it becomes
torpid — respiration is then periodical, being suspended for fifteen minutes
at a time, and this, too, in April and May, after it had naturally revived
from its winter lethargy." The same author noticed in the dormouse
intervals of suspended respiration for sixteen minutes. By maltreating
the Alligator, its inspirations and expirations may be produced at plea-
sure, but contrary to the chemical doctrine of pulmonary combustion,
animal heat is not thereby augmented, as vvill be shown in the expe-
riments on the temperature of this saurian.

The Circulaiion in this animal, after all my attempts to investigate it,
appeared to me, at least, a perfect enigma. On several occasions I
explored diflbront regions, wherein I expected to find arterial pulsations,
but without much success. This seemed the more surprising, as the
axillae, flanks and limbs were sufficiently soft and flexible, to induce the
belief that the pulse might readily be detected. The muscles of the
limbs are small, cord-like, and pliable. Either from policy or politeness,
the animals alloved the fullest examinations without resistance.

19

I will give the details of one experiment : April 3d ; noon ; air, 68* ;
the axillae and groins, each 65' : a search for the pulse began, and con-
tinued for three hours without intermission or disturbance. The whole
attention was directed to this one object. In the first half hour I feltthree
strokes like those of an artery, in the part corresponding to the wrist.
Similar pulsations were noticed in the hind leg, near the foot, amounting,
in all, to fifteen in three hours — none were felt in other regions. When
a stroke occurred, two or three followed in as many minutes or less.
The animals were now irritated. The limb was held in my hand.
They puffed and raged, but no increased arteiial action was perceived.
Is their circulation voluntary, paroxysmal, suspensible ? Does the blood
flow equably, without arterial impulsion, as in the veins and capillaries ?
Is not the quantity of red l^lood, very small in this animal? A wound
w^hichl made with the lancet, was barely moistened with blood. Doctor,
now Professor Le Conte, of Georgia, in decapitating an Alligator, on
which he made some interesting experiments, recently, noticed that "not
more than two ounces of blood flowed from the wound. (Vide N. York
Jour. Med. Nov. 1845).

With respect to certain h3bernating animals, "Spallanzani and
others are of opinion that the circulation of the blood is entirely stopped
in the remote branches of the arteries and veins, and only proceeds in
the trunks of the larger vessels and near the heart."

The Digestive function of the Alligator, seems but remotely illustrated
by that of man. Herodotus asserts, (with great probability), that during
the four winter months, Crocodiles eat nothing — a postulate which St.
Hilaire, with all his bias for that historian, denies. From some of the
officers, crews, and passengers of a Bremen ship, I learned that two
large, healthy, Louisiana Alligators, for two months before going to sea,
for two months during the vovage, and for two weeks after its termina-
tion, ate nothing whatever. In another case, an Alligator was known
to have eaten nothing for forty-nine days. A physician who kept a
young Alligator for a consideraV)le period, never could discover that it ate,
though food V, as put in its mouth. Dr. Davy's experiments on poisonous
snakes at Ceylon, show that these animals become more and more active
without eating. The tic-pologna {vipera eJegans) 4^ feet long, which he
kept 146 days, took no food. Its poisonous bite killed some animals
instantly — others in a few seconds. Spallanzani kept frogs, salaman-
ders and snakes, in a torpid state in an ice house, for three years and a
half, and then readily revived them by the atmospheric warmth. Of
course they fasted all this tinie. x\ turtle which Dr. Daw killed at Malta
for experiment, had lived two months without eating, and without any
impairment of its activity.

I have several times put into the mouths, posterior fauces and stomachs
of Alligators, flesh, bones, and the like, with cords attached ; in nearly
all cases, I have found these, on the following day, just where I left them,
and without any other alteration than that incidental to maceration. In
but a single instance did I find that the animal had swallowed any thing
left in the mouth or pharynx ; though it is difficult to believe that these
substances could remain a day or more without causing irritation or
strangulation, I tied a cord to a portion of the spine of a hog, with
considerable flesh adhering: This was put by force into the mouth. On

20

returiilno-, in half an hour, I found that the mass had been swallowed.
The rope was cut within a foot of the mouth. The next day the rope
was pulled — it slipped over the bone, stripping off some of the meat,
which, tof^ethcr with the knot of the rope, was coated with a transparent,
tasteless,*scentless mucositj, without acidity on being tested by litmus.
I took a strip of the skin, fat and flesh of a hog, about two feet long,
which, being secured in like manner, was put in the mouth ; on returning
three hours after, I found that the mass was just where I had left it. I
then forced it down the throat, leaving the string out as before. Twenty
hours alter, the whole was drawn up unchanged, except a little blanch-
in«^ and a coating of mucous matter, as in the last case ; though this
mucosity slightly reddened litmus.

" Mr. John Hunter conveyed pieces of worms and meat dov»-n the
throats of lizards, \Ahen they were going into their w inter quarters, and
keeping them afterwards in a cool place — on openiiig them, at different
periods, he always found the substances he had introduced entire, and
without any alteration ; sometimes they were in the stomach, at other
times they had passed into the intestines, and some of the lizards which
were allowed to live, voided them towards the spring entire," A torpedo
was kept by Dr. Davy many days ; when it died, a fish was found in
its stomach much in the same state in M'hich it was swallowed ; no part
of it had been dissolved : (Researches, v. 1, p. 37).

A curious fact is mentioned by Mr. Audubon, and is directly in point,
though shocking to the true disciples of Isaac Walton, namely — that the
ornithologist was in the habit of killing Louisiana Alligators, for the
purpose of getting fresh fish out of their stomachs. He says, " in those
I have killed, and I have killed a great many, when opened to see the
contents of the stomach, or tale fresh ft sh out of them, I have regularly
found round masses of hard substance like pctriiied wood. These masses
appeared to be useful in the process of digestion, like those found in the
mav.'s of some species of birds. I have broken some of them with a
ham.mer, and found them brittle and as hard as stones, v.hich they out-
w^ardly resemble. And as neither our lakes, nor rivers, in the portion
of the country I have found them in, afford even a pebble as large as a
common egg, I have not been able to conceive how they are procured
by animals if positively they are stones, or by what poMer wood can
become stone in their stomachs." May not these masses be indurated
clay? Are not Alligators, to a certain extent, dirt-eaters ? Dr. Lindsay
informs me that he has had many opportunities of knowing that these
animals defecate large indurated masses, having all the physical proper-
ties of the mud banks in which they make burrows or dens.

The Diet of Alligators appears to consist chiefly of fish. That they
should swallow tigers, oxen, mules and horses, is altogether ridiculous
and impossible. How a man of Mr. Audubon's accuracy, could directly
or indirectly give countenance to statements of this kind, appears quite
incomprehensible. According to him, " the drovers of Louisiana, when
^riving horses, cattle and mules, go first into the water and drive oft*
the Alligators, which would otherwise attack the cattle, of uhich they
are very fond. They will swim quickly after a horse:'' (Buftbn's Nat.
Hist. Am. Edit.)

21

Any one who will examine tlie unyielding osseous ])oundaries of the
palato-pharyngeal, and maxillary regions will find, that their diameters
absolutely forbid the idea of this animal swallowing a horse, an ox, or a
tiger, any more than a 74 gun ship ; though a small calf, a dog, or a pig,
is quite a different matter.

The engineer of the Water Works, of New Orleans, formerly resident
in the country, was one day, during a visit to a neighboring planter,
called upon to witness the manner in which an alligator catches its prey.
The planter had just seen it catch one pig ; and for his friends amuse-
ment, determined to let it catch another. The pig, which was small,
continued to root about the alligator's head, until it came nigh enough to
be caught. After many efforts, the alligator swallowed the pig. The
planter shot the alligator immediately, and directed his negroes to open
it, with large knives. The two pigs were found quite dead — not masti-
Gated, but marked by penetrating wounds, from the teeth — an eel, quite
natural in appearance, and about a peck of cotton seed were also found
in the stomach.

Many authors assert, that alligators cannot sicallow under water. In
offering some facts to disprove this assumption, the sagacity of these
animals will be more or less illustrated. A gentleman, on two occasions,
watched alligators when catching sunfish, which were swimming in
shoals, in shallow water. The alligator placed his long body at a suit-
able distance from the shore. As soon as the fish came between him
and the land, he curved his body, so that they could not pass ; the tail
was moored on land ; the mouth was opened under water, and brought
so close to the shore, that the fish had no method of escaping, but through
the mouth, where they were entrapped. Incidit in Scyllam, qui vult
vitare Charyhdim,

Dr. Lindsay has often observed, in midsummer, when the inundation
is subsiding, and swamps, lakes, lagoons, and bayous, are becoming dry
or too shoal, for not only alligators, but the fish, that a general migra-
tion commences. When thousands of square miles, submerged for
several months of the year, are about to become desiccated, these know-
ing animals begin to travel. When the water subsides rapidly, there
are currents through narrow channels, from the higher to the lower
basins and streams, to which the alligators repair, in great numbers,
and turn their heads up stream. The large buffalo, and still larger
cat-fish,* with many other fishes of the lower Mississippi, in their migra-
, tions,f through these straits, are thus devoured ; often, very few- escape.

* Family siluridxE ; genus pimelodus. Some of these siliirians, attain a co-
lossal size, in Louisiana.

t " The action of beasts," says a French writer, (M. Bayle,) " are among
the profoundest mysteries upon which human reason can dwell ; and, that so
few people should perceive this, is to me a matter of surprize." Yet, like the

freat Primate, they sometimes commit mistakes ; even in late years, alligators
ave come into New Orleans — an error loci — fatal to the wanderer, as he never
returns again to his reedy, plashy den. Poets and philosophers tell us, that
man is governed by reason, but when they speak of brutes, they ascribe all their
actions to instinct. I will not stop to examine what is gained by using that
convenient word ; but will simply say, that inspiration or Diiine afflation would
^eem much better to accord vvith their descriptions and explanations as usually

22

All these enormous fish are swaUoiced under water — the power of doing
which, Cuvier expressly denies them. He says, " that they first drown
their prey ; then they carry it to some submerged crevice, to putrify be-
fore they eat it." Hence, the Cuvierians hold, that alligators live on
rotten flesh. The truth is, these animals live mostly on fresh fish — a
fact asserted by Sir G. Wilkinson, with respect to the Nilotic croco-
dile._(F. 2d ^\ 124, London, 1843.)

The learned and the unlearned, seemed never tired of telling about
crocodilian ferocity — Cuvier, among the rest. Professor Edwards, in
his new work on Zoology, says "this animal is very ferocious and
dangerous, even to man." So says the new London Encyclopaedia,
which gives a very dramatic story about an alligator, that invaded a
South American city, and in the presence of the governor, carried off, in
his capacious jaws, a living man ! Mrs. Trollope's story, which follows,
has become classical, and is quoted as authority. The scene is laid in
Louisiana, the hero is a squatter. The poet is a lady : "towards day-
break; the husband and father was awakened by a faint cry, and looking
up, beheld relics of three of his children scattered over the floor, and an
enormous crocodile, with several young ones around her, occupied in
devourino; the remnants of their horrid meal. He looked around for a
weapon, but finding none, and aware that he could do nothing, he raised
himself gently on his bed, and contrived to crawl from thence through a
window, hoping that his Mife, w^hom he left sleeping, might with the
remaining children, rest undiscovered till his return. He flew to the
nearest neighbor, and besought his aid; in less than half an hour, two
men returned with him, all three armed ; but, alas ! they were too late !
the wife and her two babes lay mangled on their bloody bed." (Six
killed.) Captain Alexander, a voluminous writer of travels, who visited
Louisiana, in 1831, says, the people "are obliged to keep a sharp look
out lest their children should be snapped up by alligators." In Lace-
pede's Natural History, just from the French press, an engraving is
given, representing an alligator as swallowing a negro ! This work,
quotes M. de la Coudreniere's account of the Louisiana crocodile, (Jowrwa^
de Physique, 1782) , in which he sets forth, that this animaiyeecZ* on men,
particularly negroes — '''• pariiculiercment les negres''^ — and that it roars as
loud as a bull ! Other writers say, that this animal prefers negroes to all
other kinds of diet. If this be true, the fondness is mutual. A gentleman
of New Orleans, once a planter, assures me, that his slaves w^ere in the
habit of eating alligators, which, invariably made them sick. All his
authority was insuflicient to prevent this practice. The sickness was so
frequent and so peculiar, that he could readily recognize it without difii-
culty. He gave emetics for its cure. The suspected substance was
always brought up ; though the negroes always denied having eaten the

given — none of which is, perhaps better, poetically or philosophically speaking,
than that of Pope, on the migration of birds :

'' Who bade the stork, Columbus-like explore
Heavens not his own, and worlds unknown before ?
"Who calls the council, states the certain day,
Who forms the phalanx, and who points the way ?
For practical purposes, the syllogisms of Aristotle are often not so satisfac-
tory as instinct, nor bo logical, nor so certain.

23

same. This fondness extends to dogs, which are often fed with the tail
of this animal, which is the choicest part. A physician, who once tasted
this animal's flesh, informed me that its flavour, in some degree, resembled
that of fish, though unpalatable.

Goldsmith says, that the crocodile " unpeoples countries, making
navigable rivers desert and daJigerovsJ'^ Let that suffice for the moderns.
Roll in and others spend much learning to show, that the Egyptians wor-
shipped this animal, because it defended their nation from all their ene-
mies, particularly the Arabs. Let this suffice for the ancients.* Truth
requires me to sa}", that there are several examples on record, showing
that alligators have bitten persons, while the latter were wading or
swimming in the water. Mungo Park, in his second expedition to explore
the Niger, says, "that his guide, in crossing a river, was seized by the
thigh by an alligator, and dragged under the water. The man put his
fingers into the eyes of the animal, which caused him to let go his hold ;
but soon afterwards he seized him by the other thigh, and the guide took
the same method to save himself, and succeeded, having suffered two
bad Wounds." (v. 2, p. 130.) In 1835, the Jacksonville Courier,
(newspaper) in Florida, details the case of a young man named Norton,
who was bitten by an alligator in the hand and arm, one of the bones
of which was broken. The man gouged^ the animal, causing it to let
go its hold. It was killed, and measured ten feet in length.

Admitting these statements as altogether true, it may be truly said,
that there is scarcely an animal, wild or domestic, which has committed
so few injuries upon man — a position worth illustrating, as even twenty-
two centuries cannot make a falsehood, true. Besides, it is right to give
the alligator, as well as the devil, his due.

As illustrative of the pacific and friendly character of the alligator, I
make the following quotation from the Missionaries' letters, reviewed in
the London Quarterly, volume the eleventh. At the Nicobar islands, in
the Bay of Bengal, these animals are numerous. "Mr. Haensel was
walking along the coast of Queba, looking on a number of children who
were sporting in the water, when he saw a large crocodile proceedino*
towards them, from a creek. He screamed, and made signs to some
Chinamen, to go to their assistance. The Chinamen laughed at his

* It seemS; that both ancient and modern historians have had a carte blanche,
to say what they pleased about crocodiles and the Egyptians. Rollin and others
say, that the latter worshipped the ichneumon, because it killed the crocodile :
" it leaped into his mouth, ran down into his entrails, cut out a passage, and
returned victorious over so terrible an enemy I" and yet, the same authors pre-
tend, that the crocodile was worshipped because it defended the Egyptian na-
tion. If the ancients had some faults, they were not wholly destitute of com-
mon sense. Why should tliey worship the ichneumon, because it killed the
defender of their country ?

f " Gouge. — A joiner's tool. The word is used by the North Americans,
who in their savage quarrels, not unfrequently ^ow^e out eyes." — Richardson'' s
Dictionary. Now this definition is, no doubt, intended to have a damagiu!'* effect
on Americans ; it is, besides, an Americanism ; and a writer in tlie National
Intelligencer says, that American writers, dread nothing so much as an Ameri-
canism. This word is not only necessary, but excellent, though the practice
it designates, is bad, except in the case of crocodilian fights.

4

24

Teais, iiiid presently he t-aw the crocodile playing among the children,
while they diverted themselves by pretending to drive him away."

Sir G. 'Wilkinson, in his late work on Egypt, says, " the Nilotic cro-
codile is, in fact, a timid animal, flying on the approach of man ; and
generally speaking, only ventm*ing to attack its prey on a sudden." —
(V. 2, p. 124.)

Audubon, while traversing Louisiana, in pursuit of birds, became
much acquainted with the habits of the alligator. He says, that these
animals were so numerous on Red River, before the introduction of
steamboats, that hundreds might be seen at once — the smaller riding on
the backs of the larger, groaning and bellowing like thousands of mad
bulls, about to meet in fight ; all so careless of man, unless shot at oi'
'positively disturbed, that they remained motionless, suffering boats or
canoes to pass within a few yards of them, without noticing them in
the least. Thousands of the largest were killed, while the mania of
having shoes, boots, or saddle seats made of their hides lasted. Many
of the squatters and strolling Indians followed, for a time, no other
})usiness. The discovery that their skins are not sufficiently firm and
close grained, to prevent water or dampness long, put a stop to their
general destruction.

When alligators, (continues this gentleman,) are distant from water,
and perceive an enemy, they drop and lie flat, with the nose on the
ground, watching the intruder's movements. Should a man then ap-
proach them, they do not attempt to make away or attack, but merely
raise their body for an instant, swelling themselves, and issuing a dull
])lowing, like a blacksmith's bellows. Not the least danger need be
apprehended. You kill them with ease, or leave them. The chief
means of his attack or defence is his large tail. Woe to him who goes
within its reach. Mr. Audubon often waded through lakes and lagoons,
with no defence but a stick, to drive the alligators out of his way. If,
says he, you go towards the head of an alligator, there is no danger ;
and you may safely strike it with a club four feet long, until you drive it
away, merely watching the tail, which, at each blow, throws to the right
and left most furiously. In company with a friend, he killed an alligator
of extraordinary size, which appeared to be centuries old, many of the
teeth of which measured three inches, and which served for powder
chargers. The body was seventeen feet long.

I have been credibly informed, by actual observers, that on meeting
an alligator in narrow paths, among caneVjrakes, briars, and other
thickets, there is no method by which the animal can be induced to
retreat or turn aside. The traveller must either kill him or turn back
himself.

Dr. Lindsay, of this city, related to me the following occurrence : A
vast number of alligators being congregated in a confined situation, in
the water, a man in a canoe attempted, for his own amusement, to hem
them in, so as to force them to go on land, which they were determined
not to do. In th'^ melee Avhich ensued, a large alligator got so elevated
from the water, by placing his arms on the side of the vessel, that he
fell into the same, at full length, to the great dismay of the boatman, who
being at the stern of the canoe, and finding the animal's head towards
him, and fearing to jump out in the water, among the many alligators

25

all aroLiiiJ, concluded to paddle his way to the shore. But as soon as
he dipped his paddle in the water, he found that the animal began to
niov'e towards him. The canoe was narrow ; there was no room for
the animal to pass him. The parties were mutually embarrassed. The
man hoped that his reluctant passenger would not attempt to kill him,
unless he should obstruct the w^ay. A happy thought struck him. He
mounted with one foot on each side of the canoe ; whereupon the alli-
gator crawled between his legs, until from the stern of the boat, he
plunged into the water, to the great joy of the man. Had the man dis-
puted the right of way, a crocodilian battle would haA'c resulted.

The brevity at which I have constantly aimed in this monograph,
excludes many facts which I have either observed, or have derived from
persons of good character, of accurate information, who have no theories
but truth in view, in making statements concerning this animal and its
habits. It certainly has great sagacity in distinguishing a friend from a
foe. In many of my experiments, it showed not the least excitement or
anger ; while a negro, who had spit tobacco saliva in its eyes, could not
approach without raising a storm of indignation, manifested by the
animal rising on its legs, puffing and blowing like a bellows.

The absurd story, that alligators eat their own young, cannot be
believed for a moment. A gentleman informed me, that one of his
negroes having caught a young alligator, which whined like a young
puppy, the parent came towards the negro with a rapidity he had never
witnessed on other occasions — a kind of jumping motion, which caused
the boy to run, after dropping his captiv^e. I have been assured, when
danger is imminent, that very young alligators run into the parent's
mouth for safety. I have this statement from a highly respectable
physician.

The following experiments, illustrative of the temperature of the
alligator, made with an accurate thermometer, which was tested by
freezing, boiling, etc.; and may be relied on. I have omitted to enu-
merate the duration and repetition of the experiments, for the sake of
brevity. The thermometer was seldom changed short of ten or fifteen
minutes, and never until it appeared stationary. These experiments,
which might have been greatly augmented, are, if I may judge, quite
sufficient to show, that Cuvier and his disciples greatly err, when they
assert, that this animal approaches the hot blooded quadrupeds in tem-
perature. It approximates not the hot blooded animals, but the mer-
curial column of the thermometer!

March 31st, noon — air 62'; one alligator in the groins, etc., 57° —
another 57^°; the water in v/hich they reposed, about two inches deep,
gave 57°. At 6, p. >i., air 62°; the flanks, axilla?, under the tongue,
pharynx, and gullet, each 61°; both the water in which their abdomens
rested, and other water near at hand, gave exactly the same tempera-
ture. The day was cloudy.

April 1st, sunrise — cloudy, humid, air 60°; alligator's flanks, etc.,
59^°; gullet nearly 60°; a little water in which they lay, 59^°; other
water, near, 60°. Noon, air 63°; alligators, and the water in which
they lay, 61°; other water 62°. At 5, p. m., air 67°; alligator's 65°;
water two inches deep 64°; other water 65°.

April 2d, sunrise — air 59^°; alligator's flanks and gullets, posterior

26

fauce?:, oarh 63°: tho water in wliich thcv lav, and wliich was now
remowd, gave 58^°; other water GO''.

A\m\ 3(1, 7, A. M. — the anhnals and tlieir cages are quite dry ; air
64°; groins, gullet, etc., each 63°. Noon, air 68*; alligators 65.
Sunset, air 64°; alligators nearly 65, and dry.

April 4lh, 1, p.m. — air 63°; flanks 60^; gullet 61*. Sundown, air,
flanks and gullet, each 64°; animals dry.

The following experiments are deemed relevant to this subject : —
While engaged in making a most extensive series of thermometrical
observations, illustrative of the diurnal and annual temperature of the
Mississippi River, I have had a few opportunities of experimenting on
its fishes, immediately after they were taken out of the water — an
example of which is here subjoined. 1845, July 29, air at 5^, at 6,
and at 6^, a. m., 76°; River 85-^°; a fish {percaf") weighing about three
pounds, was (after crushing its brain) placed on a plank, in a shade, with
a thermometer thrust into the gullet. In two minutes, the temperature
was 81°, in 3 m. 81°, in 5 m. 80f°, (dead) 5 m. 80°, (body flexible)
10 m. 80°, 10 m. 79f°, 20 m- 79|°, (now one hour — body somewhat
rigid) 10 m. 79^° (universal rigidity) 10 m. 79^°. During these ex-
periments, the air of the spot had raised to 83°; and had now, in one
and a half hours, begun to communicate its caloric to the fish.

It may, perhaps, be said, that the crocodile of modern times differs
from that of the ancient world. Fortunately there is a history extant,
written with a pen altogether infallible ; it reaches to the earliest era of
our planet — The fossiliferous volume of mature. The author of
the Recherches sur Jes Ossemens Fosslles, formed a new era. He had
surveyed the face of the old, scarred earth, and numbered its animals.
He penetrated below its surface — he disinterred the fossilized past.
Thus Cuvier, like Columbus, discovered a new world ! What the
inimitable Bulwer says of the mysterious /z/^z/r^^, may, with little modifi-
cation, apply to the past — anterior to Cuvier's great revelation concern-
ing the fossil remains of eras so remote, as to bewilder the imagination :
" upon that unknown and voiceless gulf of inquiry, brooded an eternal
and impenetrable gloom — no wind breathed over it — no wave agitated
its stillness -, — over the dead and solid calm there was no change pro-
pitious to adventure — there v.ent forth no vessel of research, which was
not driven, baffled, and broken again upon the shore."

Thanks to Cuvier ! Zoologists can now say with Dr. Buckland, in his
Bridgewatcr Treatise, "that the fossil remains of the crocodilian family
do not deviate sufficientlvfrom living genera, to require any description.''
-~(V. i., p. 101.)

Microscopic Addendum.

The epidermis, cuticle, or scarf skin of the alligator, consists of a
laminated horny substance, which, nevertheless, transmits the sense of
touch with rapidity. A live coal placed on the skin, directly over the
.'^pwie, caused an instantaneous manifestation of pain, which seemed to
be acute.

=^ Fiiinily Pcrndic, frmus Pomo/is. Mr. De Kav. New York Faima. 4to.

27

The epidermoid lamina^ appears to be arranged Hive tlie slates or
shinorles on a liouse, one over-lapping another, as nnay be demonstrated
by raising their edges by the point ot" a lancet, and pulling them troni
their connections, as in micacious plates. Each lamina, though inappre.
ciably thin, is without doubt, an aggregation of other similar laminae.

The superficial surface of one of these plates, is various and uncer-
tain, being sometimes nearly as broad as the human nail. A lamina
does not lie exactly horizontal, but dips or inclines slightly; its outer
terminal margin, being black, and possessing an absorptive power over
the spectrum, little inferior to charcoal itself.

This laminated stratum, is opaque only to a very limited extent along
its margins, at which, will often be found, interspaces poysessing more or
less of that essential element of miscroscopic research, transparency.
The plate constantly becomes more pellucid towards its inner termina-
tion.

The specimen here examined, \vas taken from a skin which had been
dried for many years, portions of which, were used in that state, as well
as after maceration from one day to six weeks. Maceration and tritu-
ration of the cuticle, with a suitable quantity of water, give a mixture,
which, to the naked eye resembles black vomit.

The microscopic analysis of this substance when conducted in the
direct rays of the sun, presents, like all other substances, which I have
examined, (and they are not few,) certain ultimate phenomena, which
will be described presently. And, although, the alligator's scarf skin
is not a good type, or point of departure for the illustration of the gen-
eral doctrine — the germ of which, only, I wish here to delineate, still
it is sufficiently adapted to my purpose. Great as is my distrust, in my
abilities in this branch of science, I cannot persuade myself, that my
observations are mere optical illusions, or the figments of fancy — errone-
ous they may be. But as my method is, as I suppose, peculiar — the
solar microscope, so called, having nothing to do with it, and as it has
been practised at intervals for nearly tvro }'ears, it cannot be considered
altogether premature or hasty. Besides, I am far from thinking that my
observations conflict with the general laws of light and of optical in-
struments.

An epidermic plate of the alligator, presents the three elements, which,
so tar as I have observed, constitute the structure of animals and plants,
both liquid and solid, upon examination, by what, I shall call solar ana-
lysis. It would be, I repeat, utterly impossible in this place to give
even an outline of the experimental proof, which I have accumulated in
less than two years, and which has induced me to draw this conclusion.
I cannot enter upon the objections which professed opticians, and mi-
croscopists may urge against a method, (I shall call it the solar method,)
which is universally interdicted, involving as they do, the protbundest
speculations concerning the refrangibility, the irisation,* the reflexion,
the absorption, the entrance, the transit, the emergence, the color, the
concentration — in a word, the general doctrines of light or the solar

* Irisation. — Webster has not admitted this necessary word, though he has
irisated and irised. The dictionary of the French Academy, has tJie adjective
irise, (that which presents the color;? of the rainbow.) but not irimlion !

23

spectrum, all of which may be source* of error with careless observers,
and which, if they apply to my method, apply with, perhaps, more force
(as I could show) to that usually pursued by indirect light, especially that
of the lamp, so much recommended, though it is wholly useless, for the
purposes of minute and exact observation. The method I have pursued,
whether good or bad, is not followed. It is sufficient to mention the
opinions of two of the most eminent, recent writers on this subject : Sir
David Brewster says, (Ed. Ency.) " Microscopic objects are commonly
seen better in ramlle light than in day light, a fact which is ■particularly
apparent vhen very high magnifying powers are employed ; and we have
often tbmid that very minute oljjects, which could scarcely be seen at all
in day light, appeared with tolerable distinctness by candle light. So
far as we know, the cause of this has not been investigated." Now,
this is very plain to myself. In a good light, that is, in the direct rays
of the sun, a focal point never can arise from an entire vessel or organ
of any animal, even including those called the infusoria, but only from
some portion or molecule of such vessel or organ. Hence, all struc-
tures as nerves, muscles, heart, &c., are, in a certain sense, annihilated,
or become, as it were, structureless. This gentleman gives a list oi what
he calls microscopic objects^ which he recommends, without indicating
any preparation, as most suitable for examination, among which are the
spider, bug, mole-cricket, glow-worm, leech, corals, sponges ! Now,
the true focal point for one hair of the glow-worm, will be extremely
limited for that part, but cannot answer for another hair, much less for
the animal's entire body, which, were it sufficiently pellucid, w^ould pre-
sent an indefinite, nay, almost infinite number of focal points. Dr. L.
Mandl, lays it down as a microscopic axiom, to avoid the direct light of
the sun, chiefly because it produces irisaiion ! (iMandl et EHRE^"BERG,
Traite du Microscope). Dr. M. admits that a lamp has the same effect.
I am unable to see any thing in his statements which justifies him in his
love for a dim, and his dread of a bright light.

When the observations are properly conducted, the calorific rays,
combined with the solar spectrum, including desiccation and certain
molecular movements incidental to the same, so far from vitiating, really
aid the experimental operations. The proper management of the light
is the fundamental point. It is not in the sjjectrum, but upon its margins
or boundaries where tlie eye must be fixed, in order to avoid the dazzling
and other bad effects of a concentrated light.

Omitting all matters which are not essential to the intimate structure
of animal and vegetable microscopic objects, as color and the like, three
distinct things are seen in the direct solar light, and which I must explain,
as they have no reference whatever to the terms used by others :

First, Infusoria : these animals have no resemblance to any of those
called or described by the same name, or represented pictorially by
Mandl, Ehrcnberg, and others, and which have been arranged by Miiller
into 2 classes, 17 genera, and 37? species. I may call them solar
infusoria, because seen in sun only. They are filiform, cylindrical,
lead colored : all are exactly alike. They endure boiling and all degrees
of heat short of incineration, and remain desiccated for indefinite periods,
and may be triturated without destroying their vitality, that is, their
power of motion. They always move in both dead and living matter,

29

whenever the interniediutii, in which they are imbedded, is sufficiently
thin or dissolved. Thus, in the cuticle of the Alligator, dried for
many years, the infusoria were found abundant in all parts which
were sufficiently transparent for examination, and, of course, rigid,
but on triturating this lamina with a drop of water on a glass, the
intlisoria were set free and became active : so of many other sub-
stances. The bodies of the infusoria of authors, afford some excellent
examples of this, owing to the great transparency of the former. If a
portion of the body or limbs be selected, and be sufficiently thin, the
solar infusoria will be distinct, and if the cohesion be sufficiently dimi-
nished, active, even while the animal which they help to constitute is yet
alive. But if the animal be disintegrated, then the solar infusoria all
become active. The infusoria of authors, are generally quite moist
enough to allow this action, as soon as they are triturated or broken up.
Could shells, and the like, in which they abound, be broken up, pulver-
ised, and dissolved completely, these animals would, no doubt, become
active immediately, as I have always found them to be when so treated.

A drop of blood, black vomit, milk, or the juice of ben'ies, will afford
a most satisfactory view if it be spread out sufficiently thin — a drop may
be regarded as a "great globe," flattened, it may be, in which these
infusoria swim, one greatly above another, each having a dilTerent focal
point corresponding to its position.

The solar infusoria move without ceasing, so long as the intermedium
will permit. As the cohesion of the latter augments, the motions of the
former diminish. Their motions are serpentine, presenting only a few
curves. They do not possess the pov»^er to stem a strong current. They
are types of perpetual motion, and of immortality — always moving, all
being alike, and all apparently incapable of dying. Desiccation appears
to be their hvbernatino; condition.

The second general microscopic element, which the direct, concen-
trated solar spectrum discloses, is a spheroidal body, remarkable for its
luminosity. These spheroids are numerous, and have nearly the same
appearance in all substances. They possess no power of locomotion, or
other indications of life, unless, perhaps, in a few cases. I have seen,
several times, numerous spheroids of a similar size, which travelled in
various directions, in a voluntary manner, like ants, with, sometimes, a
rotatorv motion.

The third element, in this solar analysis, is the most abundant of all,
and maybe called the intermedium, and is both solid and liquid in differ-
ent substances, both in the natural and artificial states, appearing to be
as structureless as water. It serves as a menstruum, bed or cement to
the other two elements. It is rarely, perhaps never, as transparent as
water. If it he liquid, desiccation will very generally cause fissures, like
those of the Mississippi alluvion, after the subsidence of the water,
during the action of the sun and wind. It seems to be homogenous, and
has, with respect to light, various degrees of absorptive and transmissive
power.

Whenever the cohesion of the intermedium is sufficiently overcome
by the solvent action of water, or by the disentegration of the tissues,
of which the infusoria farm a component part, the latter invariably pass
from a state of rest or sleep to that of perpetual activity. When the

80

iiilcrmedium paj:scs from a liquid to the solid state, by slow or rapid de-
siccation, or when a live coal is placed on the opposite side of a plate of
glass, so as to heat the substance nearly to ignition, no effect is produced
on the intusoria, or spheroids, unless the intermedium be coagulated, or
otherwise aUered, so as not to be again susceptible to solution.

The solar infusoria are very distinct to all eyes — young, old, and
middle aged. I have known children to express uncommon admiration
on seeing them in minute portions of fresh blood, milk, the juice of a
blackberTy, black vomit, &:c. It would really be strange, that all these
persons, amounting to a considerable number, should be deceived.

The microscope used, though an exceedingly good one, possesses but
a moderate magnifying power — a fact of great importance, with respect
to distinctness of vision, in this method of examination. In a microscope
of great magnifying power, all tlie objects here described, have been
identilied, but, less clearly, particularly with respect to the motion of the
infusoria, which was seldom seen satisfactorily.

It is worthy of remark that the father of Microscopy, the most suc-
cessful of all discoverers in this department of science, Leuwe^hoeck,
(who was born in 1632), never used microscopes of high power. " In
all his microscopes," says Brewster (Encyc.) "the lenses had not a very
high magnifying power ; and there is reason to believe that most of his
discoveries were made more from the distinctness arising from the ac-
curate figure and good polish of his lensesi, than from the greatness of
their iwwer. Of the 26 microscopes which he presented to the Royal
Society, only one had a focal length so small as one-twentieth of an inch,
and all the rest were below half an inch in focal length."

Dr. Mandl in his late work on the Microscope, maintains that heat
kills the infusoria — "la chaleur tue les infusoires " — an indirect proof
that the solar infusoria above mentioned, are peculiar, and, as yet, un-
described. This author admits that distinctness, clearness, and exact-
itude, cannot be obtained by a microscope of high magnifying powers,
transcending 400 or 500 diameters — 800 to 2000 being fallacious.

That the solar infusoria should survive boiling, and a concentrated
heat but little short of combustion, is scarcely more wonderful, than the
fact, now generally admitted with respect to the infusoria of authors,
namely, that prolonged desiccation does not destroy the vitality of these
animals : a drop of water recalls them to life, after a suspended anima-
tion of ages.

Ml

i

.-*■■

,< .

V:l

■*'.• ■ ^ '-

T.

-.,f

M

1^^

••.;^:'r

,^ ■ ■ %

\,',

1

,<(/""

iV>iA

«tt>;9P'

■■Vi^\Ji

i^.'i'i