File:A natural history of birds, fishes, reptiles, and insects (1845) (14748379494).jpg

Identifier: naturalhistoryof00bigl (find matches)
Title: A natural history of birds, fishes, reptiles, and insects
Year: 1845 (1840s)
Authors: Bigland, John, 1750-1832 Riley, Joseph Harvey, 1873-1941, former owner. DSI
Subjects: Zoology Natural history
Publisher: Philadelphia : Grigg & Elliot
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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erocious beast, however, seldom falls unrevenged; for theinstant he finds himself seized, he turns with great agility andfierceness on his enemy, and endeavours to strike his claws intothe crocodiles eyes, while the latter drags him into the water,where they continue to struggle until the tiger be drowned, andhis triumphant antagonist feasts upon his carcass. Notwith-standing the formidable teeth and claws of the crocodile, its tailis an instrument of destruction scarcely less formidable; forwith a single stroke of it, this animal has frequently been knownto overturn a canoe, and then devour the poor savage, itsconductor. The crocodile, thus seizing and devouring every living creaturewithout distinction, is equally dreaded by all. No animal, butman alone, can combat it with success. We are informed byLa bat, that a negro, with no other weapon than a knife in hisright hand, and his left arm wrapt about with a strong piece ofcows hide, has sometimes ventured to attack this animal in its
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THE CROCODILE. 131 •>wn element. As soon as he approaches, he presents his leftarm, which the crocodile greedily snatches into his mouth, whenthe negro immediately gives it several stabs in the soft part underthe throat. The wounds thus inflicted, together with the waterrapidly entering his mouth, which is involuntarily held open,and choking it, accomplish its destruction. This is certainlya daring exploit; but few would consider it as a very delightfulpastime. The Siamese take abundance of crocodiles, by throwingseveral exceedingly strong nets across a river, so that if the ani-mal burst through one, he may be entangled in another. Theythen approach him in boats, and by various means secure him.When thus brought into subjection, and especially when bred upyoung, the crocodile is kept to divert the great men of the easterncountries of Asia. He is said to be managed, in those parts, inthe same manner as a horse; a curb being put into his mouth,and the rider directing him at. pleas

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