Gharial

GHARIAL or gavial, substantive – herpetology. Genus of saurians, close to crocodiles, characterised by long, straight and narrow jaws which get a bit wider at the end. The common species, the Indian gavial (gavialis gangeticus Geoff.) can grow over 7 meters (23 ft) long. It is common in the Ganges and other rivers in Asia. Several African species have been described. The general structure and the habits of the gharial are not essentially different from those of the crocodile.
 
Extract from the Trousset encyclopedia, 1886 – 1891.