A comprehensive zoological study of the Crocodilia that synthesizes observations and comparative literature to describe their biology, anatomy, and embryonic development. Focusing chiefly on the American alligator as an exemplar, it surveys natural history and distribution, then presents detailed anatomical treatments of the skeleton, musculature, nervous, digestive, urogenital, respiratory, and vascular systems, and concludes with an account of developmental stages. The text combines original observations and translations with referenced sources and is supported by numerous figures and plates, followed by a selective bibliography and an index.