scene they had just witnessed. They lay down upon the grass, and
entered into a conversation, of which bears and alligators formed the
subjects. The latter, however, with their singular and revolting
habits, came in for the greater share of their talk. Many odd stories
in relation to them were known to all, even to the little Francois; and
Basil being an old hunter among the swamps and bayous, was acquainted
with many of the habits of these animals. But Basil was not much of an
observer; and he had only noticed such peculiarities as, from time to
time, were forced upon his attention by the incidents of the chase.
Lucien, however, had more closely observed their habits, and had also
studied them from books. He was, therefore, well acquainted with all
that is known to the naturalist concerning these animals; and at the
request of his brothers he consented to while away the twilight hours,
by imparting to them such information about them as he himself
possessed.

"The alligator," began he, "belongs to the order _Sauria_, or lizards.
This order is again divided into several families, one of which is
termed _Crocodilida_, or crocodiles; and the family of crocodiles is
subdivided into three genera, each of which has several species."

"How many species in all?" demanded Basil.

"There are not more than a dozen varieties of the whole crocodile
family--at least, there are not more known to naturalists."

"Then I was thinking why there should be all this division and
subdivision into orders, families, genera, and species, for a dozen
varieties of the same animal, and these all so like each other in shape
and habits--are they not so?"

"They are," answered Lucien, "very similar in their characteristics."

"Then, why so much classing of them? It appears to me to be quite
useless."

"The object of this classing is to make the study of their natural
history more easy and simple. But you are right, brother, in the
present case; it appears quite useless, and only renders the thing more
complex, and obscure. Where there are many varieties or species of a
family or order of animals, and where these species differ widely from
each other in appearance and habits, then such minute classifications
become necessary to assist one's memory; but I say again, brother, you
are quite right as to the present case. There is no need for the
numerous divisions and subdivisions which have been made of the
crocodile family."

"Who ma