This latter reason I look upon as very absurd, and worthy only of the fabulous Buffon.

For my part, I believe that the rubbish usually found in the alligator's stomach is collected there by accident--swallowed, from time to time, by mistake, or along with his prey; for his organs of taste are far from being delicate, and he will devour anything that is flung into the water, even a glass bottle.

These substances, of course, remain in his stomach--perhaps accumulating there during his whole lifetime--and as, like most reptiles, his stomach being very strong, they do him little, if any, injury.

We must not judge of an alligator's stomach as we would that of a human being; nor, indeed, of any of his organs.

If our brain is seriously injured, we die; but an alligator's brain may be altogether removed, even in the most violent manner, and the animal will crawl off and live for days after.