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The gavial is found in Asia particularly in the Ganges and other Indian rivers, and is the crocodile of those parts. The alligator belongs to America, where it is distributed extensively both in North and South America. In the Spanish parts it is called `caiman, and there are two species well-known, viz the spectacled caiman of Guiana, and the alligator of the Mississippi.
The other end she made fast to the trunk of a guava tree for she well knew that her own strength would avail but little against such a monster as the caiman. "When all was ready she poised the shaft, and flung spear, body, and all, into the water. Then taking the rope in her hand, she crouched behind the bushes to await the result. "She had not long to wait.
Led on by curiosity our party approached them, and saw that one only was a tortoise, and one of the largest kind, being nearly three feet in diameter. The other animal was a small caïman or alligator. As our travellers drew near they saw that these two creatures were engaged in a fierce and deadly combat.
She did not hesitate a moment, but plunged into the river, which buried her to the neck. At that moment the child rose again to the surface. The mother seized her by the arms; and was about raising her out of the water, when the caiman swept forward open-mouthed, caught the limbs of the little girl, and with one crunch of his powerful jaws severed them from the body!
The aim of the caiman appeared to be to get the head of the tortoise in his mouth; but whenever he attempted this, the latter suddenly drew his head within the shell, and repeatedly disappointed him.
Led on by curiosity our party approached them, and saw that one only was a tortoise, and one of the largest kind, being nearly three feet in diameter. The other animal was a small caiman or alligator. As our travellers drew near they saw that these two creatures were engaged in a fierce and deadly combat.
Basking upon the bank, or floating along the stream, we may behold the great water lizards the crocodile and caïman; or the unwieldly forms of the cheloniæ the turtles. Nimbly running along the tree-trunk, or up the slanting lliana, we may see the crested iguana, hideous to behold.
This the flamingoes and other birds well know, and these creatures being fond of a place to perch upon, often avail themselves of the long serrated back of the crocodile, or the caïman. As the day became brighter the flamingoes sat still not appearing to be alarmed by the movements at the camp, which was about an hundred yards distant from their perch.
In a few moments the body had disappeared down the capacious throat of the monster. Seeing this, the woman suddenly sprang to her feet, and dragged violently upon the rope, and the next moment a wild scream announced that she had succeeded in her intentions. The barbed blades had taken hold, and the caiman was secured!
In some places they are much fiercer than in others; but this may arise from different species being the inhabitants of these different places. There is the true crocodile, with long sharp snout, and large external tusks; and the caiman, with a snout broader and more pike-shaped; and the former is a much more courageous and man-eating creature.
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