DUCKBILLS. 57 



about the size of a woodchuck, and which, in its struct- 

 ure, resembles both the Rodents and the Marsupials. 

 Its body is thin, legs short, and the tail is wanting. 

 The Wombat feeds upon grass, and burrows in the 

 ground. 



DUCKBILLS, OR MONOTREMES. 



These are animals which vary much .from all other 

 mammals, having their organic structure in some re- 

 spects much like that of Birds. They belong to Aus- 

 tralia. One of the most interesting kinds is called the 



Fig. 101. Duckbill, or Platypus. 



Duckbill, or sometimes Platypus. Its muzzle is flat 

 and appears very much like that of a Duck, its legs 

 short, feet webbed, and its body is covered with short 

 brown fur. It is less than two feet long, lives about 

 ponds and streams, and digs burrows in the banks. . 



3* 



