Mr. Bates felt assured that fish formed the food of alligators. It was not possible to feel quite satisfied with this solution of the problem, especially under circumstances where alligators abound in stagnant lagoons in which fish must necessarily be scarce.
In the unfrequented parts of the estuaries of rivers flowing into the Caribbean sea, it can be understood that at certain seasons of the year the supply of fish may be great, and we have the authority of that careful observer Mr. Bartram, for the statement that upon those occasions the numbers of alligators crowding the rivers in Florida were astonishing.
In 1853 the “Vestal” happened to be cruising off Cuba, and I was sent in charge of the boats to look for fresh water in Guantanomo harbour, at a spot which was reputed to have been a favourite haunt of pirates in the seventeenth century.
After some search we discovered a small stream, but the entrance was defended by such crowds of alligators that we had great difficulty in passing through them. If, as was possible, they were waiting for the arrival of fish from the upper waters, it may be inferred that a comparatively small supply of food suffices for their sustenance.
“Cartas de Hernan Cortes,” collected by Don Pascual de Gayangos, p. 407.
“Almaizal, a sort of veil or head attire used by the Moorish women, made of thin silk, striped of several colours, and shagged at the ends, which hangs down on the back.” Baretti’s Dictionary, 1807.
See “Landa’s Relacion de las Cosas de Yucatan,” edited and translated by L’Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg.