strikes us as indicative of some peculiar object to be attained by it. The secretion of powerful odours is generally confined, in other animals, to the neighbourhood of the generative organs; and we find glands of this description on each side the cloaca, even in the animal now under consideration. These must be considered in some cases as furnishing a defence against the attacks of enemies, and in others, as serving some office connected with the sexual function. In the present instance, however, these objects are obviously incompatible with the situation of the gland, and we must seek for some other use to which the secretion may be applied, in accordance with this peculiarity.

The predilection of many species of fish for all strongly odorous substances, is well known to every one who has observed the habits of this class of animals, and is often made subservient to the objects of the angler. From the earliest periods, in fact, at which angling was considered as a sport, and rules laid down for its successful prosecution, baits were directed to be imbued with strongly scented oils and extracts, for the purpose of rendering them more attractive. In a book printed by Wynkyn de Worde, in 1496, and which is a republication of the celebrated book of St. Albans, with the addition of “The treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle,” the following direction is given, amongst others, for taking pike.. "Take a frosshe (frog) and put it in asa fetida, and caste it in the water wyth a corde and a corke, and ye shall not fayl of hym. And yf ye lyst to have a good sporte, thenne tye the corde to a gose fote; and ye shall se gode halynge whether the gose or the pyke shall have the better.” Walton, and every subsequent writer on angling, has given

receipts for the composition of pastes for the same purpose, in all of which tar, assa foetida, camphor, oil of rhodium, musk, or some other powerful odour is the most important ingredient.

These facts strikingly coincide with the mode in which the alligators take their prey, as far as the observations I had an opportunity of making on those in my possession enable me to judge. This is done by suddenly snapping at it sideways, a mode perfectly consistent with the form of the mouth and the position of the eyes, and not less so with the situation of the gland itself, the secretion from which, would attract the fish directly to that part where they would become the most certain and easy prey. From all these circumstances then I am led to conclude, that the use of this secretion is to serve as an attractive bait for fish, which form the principal food of these animals. Sir EVERARD HOME, indeed, mentions a curious circumstance, which came under his own observation whilst resident in the island of Jamaica, and which led him to believe that their favourite food consists of birds. Although, however, it is certain that they will devour any animals that come within their reach, yet their aquatic habits seem to indicate that fish constitute their principal nourishment, whilst the observations of many writers, and especially those of BARTRAM,* abundantly confirm this opinion.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI.

Fig. 1. A view of the under part of the lower jaw and throat of the alligator, showing the openings of the musk glands (a. a.)

Fig. 2. The parts dissected.

a. The musk gland.

b. The muscle of the gland.

c. Its insertion into the cornu of the os hyoïdes.

d. The mylo hyoïdeus.