A central ridge runs down from the nape of the neck over the spinous processes of the vertebrae (being firmly attached to them by strong ligaments) as far down as the sacrum, diminishing to its termination likewise.

CONTENTS OF ITS STOMACH.

All the alligator’s stomach contained was about fourteen pounds of pebbles, some of them measuring four inches in diameter.  We were some time skinning the monster, and after securing a little of the best part of the flesh for eating,* proceeded on our way.

(Footnote.  The writer supped off alligator steaks, and informs the reader that the meat is by no means bad, and has a white appearance like veal.)

The river, as I have already said, ran along the base of Sea Range for some distance, when it turned off across the plain in a south-east direction.

Banks of the Victoria.

The high land quite overlooked the stream, and enhanced the picturesque effect of the trees that rose in rich green masses on the banks, which were here only about half a mile apart.  The depth, however, was two fathoms, double what it had been for some distance before.  We had now fairly turned our backs on Sea Range, and were crossing the plains in a south-east direction.  On the part of the Victoria we had passed were a few white ducks, with black or very dark brown wings.  I noticed that the bill and legs were of a very pale pink, and they had a pale yellow eye.  They were evidently the same bird that I had seen at Port Essington.* They were scarce and not met with in other parts of the river.  Kangaroos were numerous on the banks, as we entered the plain, and during the day were to be seen in numbers under the bushes near the water’s edge.  I added one to our stock of fresh provisions, which with alligator steaks and ducks, gave us a good supply to share with the other boats.  We named this part of the river Long Reach, from its carrying us nine miles in a direct course, with a general width of a quarter of a mile, and a depth of two and three fathoms.  The banks were well defined, in many places being a low line of cliffs six feet high, presenting to our view several feet of brown soil, resting on a compact clay.  This is the general character of this extensive plain; and from the small size of the trees, chiefly white gums, that are thinly scattered over it, we may infer that it is land of recent formation.  Two miles from the end of Long Reach, we passed a sandy head, where the tide rises from three to ten feet.

(Footnote.  Figured by Mr. Gould, as Tadorna radjah.)