This animal is found on the banks of the Nile, Niger, and Ganges.
In crossing the Ba-Woolima, Mungo Park's attendant, Isaaco, met with a
strange and nearly fatal adventure. In attempting to drive six asses
across the river, just as he had reached the middle, a crocodile rose
close to him, and instantly seizing him by the left thigh, pulled him
under water. With wonderful presence of mind, he felt the head of the
animal, and thrust his finger into its eye. This forced it to quit its
hold: it soon, however, returned to the charge, and, seizing him by the
other thigh, again pulled him under water. Isaaco had recourse to the
same expedient, and thrust his fingers a second time into its eyes with
such force, that it again quitted him, rose to the surface, floundered
about as if stupid, and then swam down the stream. Isaaco, in the mean
time, reached the bank of the river, bleeding very much--the wound in
his left thigh being four inches long, that on the right somewhat less,
but very deep, besides several single teeth-marks on his back. In six
days, however, he recovered so as to be able to travel.
At Chantilly, in France, there was, in the year 1828, a crocodile so
perfectly tame and well-disposed, that he was caressed with impunity by
the keeper, who endeavored, although not always with success, to induce
visitors to follow his example. He never attempted to bite any one, but
seemed pleased by being fondled.