Page:The Universe, a poem - Baker (1727).djvu/39

Observe the ^[1]Crocodile's amazing Length,
His Form affrighting, and his mighty Strength.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$With Scales of Brass encompass'd all around,
From him the rattling Javelins rebound,
Broken their Points, but guiltless of a Wound.
Like op'ning Gates his threat'ning Jaws divide,
With Rows of Teeth like Spears on either Side.

In

1. This Creature being little known, I thought a Description of it, would not only give light to the poetical part, but might also in itself afford some Amusement to the Reader: and therefore I have subjoined such a one, as I could collect from the best Writers.
   It is a Creature living both by Land and Water, which from an Egg (not a great deal bigger than a Turkey's) arrives sometimes to eight or ten Yards in Length: for whereas other Creatures have a certain Period to their Growth; this (as 'tis said) still grows bigger to the End of its Life; which is reported to last an hundred Years. Its Head is flat above and below, with Jaws wide enough to swallow a Man whole, a sharp long Snout, full of Teeth, but no Tongue: the Eyes very large, and of a darkish Colour. The Body all of a Bigness, covered on the Back with high Scales like the Heads of broad Nails, of a greenish Colour, and so hard, an Halbert cannot pierce them. Its Tail is long, and cover'd with such Scales as the Back; its Belly white, and pretty tender, being the only Place where it can easily be wounded. It has four short Legs, with five Claws on its fore, and four on its hinder Feet. Contrary to all Creatures (except the Hippopotamus) It moves only the upper Jaw in eating. Its Flesh is not poisonous, but insipid. It is a very ravenous and subtile Creature, hiding itself in the Sands, and behind the projecting Banks of Rivers, to watch the Beasts coming to drink, and when any comes within its reach, rushes with it into the Water, and holds it down 'till it is strangled. The only way to escape their Pursuit, is by flying in Circles, for their Body being of a vast Length, requires some time to turn about; but directly forward they will run with great Swiftness. Their Weeping is a Fable. It lays its Eggs in the Sand to be hatched by the Sun's Heat.