CROCODILE. every thing, should place among their gods animals so powerful and destructive, though a better reason is to be found in the defence which they afforded against the incursions of Arabs and other robbers, who were not fond of adventuring across canals and rivers frequented by crocodiles. A regular priesthood and worship were consecrated to this ferocious deity, and in the temple of Memphis a sacred individual of the species was reared with great care, being abundantly fed, adorned with jewels, and lodged in a spacious basin, having offerings and sacrifices made to him. Being thus fed and managed, the terrible reptile became sufficiently mild and tractable to be led about in ceremonial processions. When he died, the priests embalmed his body, and buried it in the royal sepulchre! So much for the wisdom of the nation which is commonly regarded as the most enlightened of antiquity! The most ancient description of the crocodile is that given by Herodotus, in his observations on Egypt, in his first book. This account, though mingled with a considerable share of fable, is generally correct; and some of the errors still in existence concerning this animal, appear to be derived from his statement: such are the stories of the bird which picks the crocodile's teeth, and that the animal moves only the upper jaw. The latter assertion, though utterly incorrect, is repeated, even at this day, by persons who have had opportunities of knowing better from actual observation, had they not been too much blinded by prejudice to profit thereby. The genus is characterized by the following peculiarities: The tail is compressed or broadest vertically; the posterior feet are wholly or partly palmated; the tongue attached to the mouth, even to its very edges, without being in the least extensible; a single range of simple pointed teeth; the male organ single. There are five toes on the front, four on the hind feet, only three toes of each foot being provided with claws. The body, above and below, and the entire length of the tail, are covered with square scales or plates, most of those on the back having ridges or spines of various lengths: the flanks are only protected by small round sceles. Two ranges of spines, forming a double dentated line, are placed at the base of the tail, which subsequently unite or form a single ridge on the remainder of its length. The ears are externally closed by two fleshy slips; the nostrils form a long narrow canal, which only opens interiorly at the 41 back of the throat. The eyes are provided with three lids; and under the throat there are two small pouches, which secrete a strongly musky substance. Cuvier has divided the genus into three sub-genera, viz. gavials, having an elongated narrow beak or snout; caymans, or alligators, with broad snouts, and having four lower teeth to fit into holes excavated for them in the upper jaw, and crocodiles proper, having the head oblong, twice as long as broad, and the four long lower jaw teethi passing by grooves, and not entering into cavities in the upper jaw. The gavials are most common in, if not peculiar to, the great rivers of India. The alligators are confined to the new continent, and the crocodile proper, with a single exception, to Africa. These reptiles are truly formidable, from their great size and strength, and, if they were not rendered unwieldy by the length of the body and tail, might become as dreadful on land as in the water, where they can act to the greatest advantage. Where they abound, it is extremely dangerous to venture into the rivers for the purpose of bathing, or to be carelessly exposed in a small boat. On shore, their shortness of limb, great length of body, and difficulty of turning, or of advancing otherwise than directly forward, enable inen and animals readily to escape pursuit. For a crocodile of 12, 15, or 18 feet in length, to turn fairly, it must necessarily describe a very large circle. In the water, the vast force it can exert by means of the long oar-like tail, amply compensates for want of flexibility, and renders the animal more than a match for any of its enemies. The force with which it darts through the water, in pursuit of prey, resembles the flight of an arrow rather than the progression of a huge animal, and, when engaged in rude gambols, or in combating with others of its kind, the waves are lashed into foam, and may be truly said to "boil like a pot." The mouth, when expanded, forms a horrible chasm, extending even to the ears, and armed around its border by strong pointed teeth. This construction, with the absence of lips, and the confined position of the tongue, show that the action of the mouth is confined simply to seizing and tearing the food. These animals are exclusively carnivorous, feeding on such animals as frequent the waters, on fish, or carcasses thrown into the streams they inhabit. They always prefer their food in a certain state of putrefaction, and are found to keep animals killed by themselves in the mud, until this process has 42 CROCODILE-CROISADE. begun. In regard to the general character and habits of crocodiles, we might safely refer to the account given in the first volume of this work, under the title Alligator, which has been more carefully observed. They are so similar in every respect, that what is said of the American species, with very slight modification, will hold good of the African. The crocodile of Egypt is no longer found, except in the upper parts of that country, where the heat is greatest, and the population least numerous. Anciently, the species was common nearly to the outlet of the Nile; and it is stated by Pliny, that they used to pass the winter months buried in the mud, in a state of torpidity. They are still common enough in the river Senegal, the Jaïre, Joliba, &c. The size to which these creatures grow is very remarkable, and would lead us to believe that they live to a vast age. It is stated by excellent authorities, that individuals have been killed in Upper Egypt measuring 30 feet in length. M. Cloquet, who was one of the French institute, engaged in exploring that country, while the armies of the republic were present, saw a crocodile 25 feet long. A little reflection upon the muscular power of such a reptile will serve to convince us of its ability to commit extensive ravages on the lives of other creatures. There are numerous particulars connected with the anatomy of these beings, which are very curious and interesting. Such are the articulations of the lower jaw with the upper, the joint being so far back as to cause almost every incidental observer to believe that the upper, not the lower jaw, is moved in opening the mouth; the lateral spines on the vertebræ, which prevent the turning of the body, except in a large circle; the curious set of ribs designed exclusively for the protection of the belly, aided by two broad bones standing on the anterior edge of the pelvis, which may be compared with the ossa marsupialia of certain quadrupeds; the construction of the external ears; the apparatus for the protection of the eye, &c., &c. But for such details, we are under the necessity of referring the reader to treatises especially devoted to their illustration. The species of crocodile admitted by Cuvier, in the excellent researches contained in the 10th and 12th volumes of the Annales du Muséum, are the following: 1. the common crocodile of Egypt (C. vulgaris); 2. the doublecrested (C. biporcatus); 3. the lozenge crocodile (C. rhombifer); 4. the two-plate crocodile (C. biscutatus); and 5. the Hay tian (C. acutus), the only true crocodile found in the new world, according to his definition. The memoirs above referred to contain very minute and satisfactory accounts of the discriminating marks of these species, and to that source the reader who desires such information may refer with great advantage. CRESUS, the last king of Lydia, lived CROCUS. (See Saffron). The CROIX-CROMWELL. CROIX, Saint, is the name of many rivers and places, as is also Santa Croce in Italian, Santa Cruz in Spanish, and the compositions with Kreuz in German. Among the many St. Croix are: St. Croix, or Schoodic, or Passamaquoddy; a river of North America, which divides Maine from New Brunswick, and flows into Passamaquoddy bay. It is navigable for ships 25 miles. St. Croix; a river in the North-West Territory, which runs into the Mississippi 90 miles below St. Anthony's falls. It is navigable for boats about 100 miles. St. Croix; a river of Canada, which runs into the river St. Maurice 33 miles above Quebec. CROKER, John W.; first secretary to the board of admiralty, member of the British parliament, a poet, and an active contributor to the Quarterly Review. He was born in Dublin, 1781, and, after having studied in Trinity college, in that city, was entered at Lincoln's Inn, and, in 1802, admitted to the Irish bar. In 1807, he was chosen member of parliament for Downpatrick (Ireland), and has ever since retained a seat in that body. In 1809, he distinguished himself by his activity in the affair of the duke of York and Mrs. Clarke, and was rewarded with the appointment of secretary for Ireland during the absence of sir Arthur Wellesley (duke of Wellington), and soon after with that of first secretary to the admiralty. In parliament, he is a fluent speaker, and an efficient supporter of the ministry. Mr. Croker has published several literary works of some merit, which appeared anonymously. Among them are, Familiar Epistles on the Irish Stage (poetical, 1803); an Intercepted Letter from China (1805), a Satirical Sketch; State of Ireland, past and present (1807); the Battle of Talavera, a poem, in which the battle is described with much fire (1809). He has been one of the most lively and popular of the regular contributors to the Quarterly Review. His articles have been more commonly on literary than political subjects, and show much tact and considerable talent. His favorite weapon is sarcasm. The most of the articles on French literature are from his pen, and display much illiberal prejudice, with not a little ignorance of the subject. CROMLECH, OF CROMLEII, in British antiquities; huge, broad, flat stones, lying upon other stones set up on end. They are common in the isle of Anglesea. These monuments are described by Mr. 43 Rowland, Dr. Borlase, &c., under the name of are, or altars. Mr. Rowland, however, is divided in his opinion, supposing them to have been originally tombs, but that, in after times, sacrifices were performed upon them to the heroes deposited within. There is an account of king Harold having been interred beneath a monument of this kind, in Denmark; and Mr. Wright discovered, in Ireland, a skeleton deposited in one of them. Mr. Toland mentions a cromlech in Nevern parish, in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, having the middle stone 18 feet high and 9 broad towards the base, but narrowing upwards; and by it there lay a broken piece, 10 feet in length, which seemed to be of a weight heavier than 20 oxen could draw. But at Poitiers, in France, there is one supported by five lesser stones, much exceeding all in the British islands, as it is 50 feet in circumference. This he conceives to have been a "rocking-stone." At Boudoyr, in Anglesea, there is a noble cromlech, many of the stones being 30 tons in weight. CROMWELL, Oliver, protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, one of the most powerful characters that ever rose from a revolution; a statesman and general, who, with the Bible in one hand, and the sword in the other, raised and ruled the stormy elements of political and religious fanaticism; with a bold, yet artful ambition. achieved great enterprises, and planneð still greater; admired, feared, and calumniated by his contemporaries, and first truly appreciated by after ages,—was born at Huntingdon, April 25, 1599, and descended from a family which traced its genealogy through Richard Williams, who assuined the name of Cromwell from his maternal uncle, Thomas Cromwell, secretary of state to Henry VIII, and through William ap Yevan, up to the barons of the 11th century. Cromwell, proprietor of the borough of His father, Robert Huntingdon, had a seat in parliament, but, at the same time, to support a numerous family, undertook a large brewing establishment. Oliver received a careful education. Anticipations of future greatness early seized upon his imagination. When a child, he met with several hairbreadth escapes. During his infancy, a large ape snatched him out of his cradle, and, to the terror of the family, mounted with him to the roof of the house. Some years after, he was rescued by a clergyman from drowning. strict discipline of the grammar school at The unusually which he was educated, created a disgust in the ambitious boy for all prescribed tasks. While at school, he performed with great enthusiasm, in the old play of Lingua, the part of Tactus, who finds a crown and purple mantle. He retained an impression, in after life, of having seen, in his youth, an apparition of a gigantic woman at his bedside, who told him that he would become the greatest man in the kingdom. In his 17th year, he went to Cambridge, where he studied with zeal, but, at the same time, carried his fondness for athletic exercises even to a love of brawls and combats. After staying there a year, his mother sent him to study law in London, where he became a member of Lincoln's Inn, and spent most of his time in dissipated company. After remaining here a short time, he returned to reside upon his paternal property, where he continued his dissolute habits, and had a quarrel with his uncle. There was a restlessness in his nature, which made strong excitements necessary to him; but he early renounced the vices and follies of his youth, when, at 21, he espoused Elizabeth, daughter of sir James Bourchier, a woman whose conduct was ever irreproachable. His change of character was owing, however, in a great measure, to his close connexion with a religious sect, which afterwards became formidable, in a political view, under the name of Puritans and Independents. At the same time, he became a student of theological and military works. In 1625, he was member of parliament, under the reign of Charles I, from the borough of Huntingdon. Here he saw, with indignation, the abuses of public administration, and, by the persuasion of the famous Hampden and St. John, his relations, took the side of the opposition. Both of them hated the established church, and their sentiments were embraced by Cromwell, whose spirit was early inclined to enthusiasm. His heated imagination often made him believe that he was dying, and the physicians pronounced him a vaporous and fanciful hypochondriac." No one but the penetrating Hampden had a correct idea of his great talents. In the parliament of 1628, he distinguished himself by his zeal against popery. After this, he retired to a farm, made restitution of some money that he had won in earlier years by gaming, and, from 1635, devoted himself wholly to agriculture at Ely, where he had inherited an estate. While in this place, he prevented the draining of the fens, and thereby made himself so popular with the people of the place, that they gave him the title of "lord of the fens." He afterwards patronised this measure during his protectorate. The storm was already at hand which was to shake the repose of England. The king wished to reign without a parliament, and the arbitrary manner in which he imposed taxes, assisted by the prevailing religious feeling and sectarian animosity, inflamed the passions of men, and urged them into political conflict. The opponents of the arbitrary measures of the government had so little idea of the impending convulsion, that several of them were making arrangements to embark, with their families, for New England. Among those already engaged in this scheme were Cromwell, Hampden, Pym, Haselrigg and other men, afterwards so formidable in the revolution; but the government forbade their emigration, as the king was fearful that they would help to widen the breach that already existed between the colonies and the English church. Thus did Charles himself counteract the movements of fortune in his favor. Cromwell returned to Ely, where he lived, for a time, a quiet and pious life. It was at this period that he wrote to his friend St. John, that "he was ready to do and to suffer for the cause of his God.” He also held meetings of the sectaries at his house, and not unfrequently preached and prayed himself before them. At length, the king was compelled, by the state of affairs in Scotland, to summon a parliament. Cromwell (who was returned member by the town of Cambridge) and others were so loud in their complaints of abuses in church and state, that Charles prorogued the parliament, but, six months after, November, 1640, was obliged to reässemble it. In this parliament, called the long parliament (from November, 1640, to April, 1653) Cromwell attracted notice chiefly by his rustic and slovenly dress, and by the vehemence of his oratory, often degeneratThat sloven," said ing into coarseness. Hampden of him, "that sloven hath no ornament in his speech, but he will be the greatest man in England, if we should ever come to a breach with the king." In the declaration of grievances called the Remonstrance, which was passed by a small majority, and which brought on the civil war, Cromwell took an active part. He was at this time a sincere Puritan; but his crafty nature soon led him into the windings of intrigue. On the breaking out of the war in 1642, being appointed captain, and afterwards colonel, he raised a troop of horse composed of CROMWELL. zealous Puritans, who were ready to risk all for the cause of God. The address with which he infused his own spirit into his soldiers, and the strict discipline which he maintained, gave proof of the sagacity with which lie afterwards ruled three kingdoms. His first military exploit was the occupation of Cambridge, where, with puritanical zeal, he seized the university plate, in the name of God, to defray the expenses of the war. He then routed the royalists, and made himself master of their supplies. This success very much facilitated the parliament's levies, while it had the opposite effect on those of the royalists. His troops behaved with remarkable order, except on occasions when their religious feelings were excited. He laid the foundation of his military fame by the relief of Gainsborough. From that time, he rivalled in boldness, in decision, and in presence of mind, the most practised warriors. At Marston Moor, July 2, 1644, the cavalry which he had trained, and which was commanded by Fairfax and himself, decided the victory. And now his political influence began. Both a Puritan and a republican, he thought with Ireton and Hampden, but spoke out more boldly and distinctly, and thus became the prominent leader of the party that was resolved to carry matters to the last extremity. But amid all his real and feigned honesty, he was already beginning to play the secret part, for which his sagacity and knowledge of human nature soon suggested the most politic course. He constantly served, as Hobbes remarks, the strongest party, as well as he was able, and carried matters with it as far as it wished. Once, indeed, when he had charged lord Manchester with cowardice, before parliament, because, after the battle of Newbury (1643), he would not permit the cavalry to charge the enemy on their retreat, from fear that, if routed, they would all be treated as rebels and traitors, the earl publicly accused him of an intention of putting himself at the head of the army, and giving the law to king and parliament. Fortunately for Cromwell, the influence of the Independents (q. v.) prevented a thorough investigation of the matter. From that time, however, the English Presbyterians regarded him as a dangerous man; and the commander-in-chief, Essex, joined with the Scots, who hated Cromwell for his contemptuous treatment of them, in seeking his downfall. Upon this, Cromwell, in concert with his friends, planned a measure which may be regarded as the 45 masterstroke of his political cunning. On fast day, he induced the London clergy to preach on the necessity of the parliament freeing itself from the charge of selfish ends, which could be done only by its members resigning all their lucrative offices, civil and military, and leaving it to the Lord to choose other instruments for bringing to a conclusion so glorious a work. In consequence of this, the parliament passed what was called the selfdenying ordinance, in accordance with which sir Harry Vane, Cromwell, and others, gave in their resignations, because the army, as they said, stood in need of a stricter discipline, and, above all, of more Christian leaders. The project was carried through; Essex was dismissed, and the zealous, but irresolute sir Thomas Fairfax was put in his place. As the honorable but weak Fairfax did not feel himself qualified for the duties of general, he obtained an exemption from the abovementioned ordinance for Cromwell, who, uniting ability with boldness, was again placed under him, with the command of the cavalry. Cromwell now introduced into the whole army the excellent discipline in which he had already trained a part of it, and gained the decisive battle of Naseby (June 14, 1645), in which the king was routed with great loss. Cromwell got possession of the correspondence of Charles I with the queen, from which the parliament published all the passages which would injure the king and queen in public opinion. After this victory, and the capture of Bristol, Cromwell wrote to the parliament, in that affectedly humble and sanctified strain, with which he disguised his ambitions designs; "This is none other but the hand of God, and to him alone belongs the glory." The spirit in the army, which the officers, and especially Cromwell, excited by their sermons and prayers, had now risen to fanaticism; at the same time that good order and morality were so well maintained, that profanity, drunkenness, robbery, and the like offences, hardly ever occurred. By this course, Cromwell succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the royal party, which he persecuted with fanatical bitterness. Charles I at last took refuge with the Scotch army; but was sold by them to the parliament (May 5, 1646) for their arrears of pay, on which occasion. Cromwell was one of the commissioners. Contrary to the expectation of the people, Charles was treated as a prisoner by the leaders of the war party and the Independents, who carried their cruelty so far |