H6 



\vhich abounded most with aąuatic weeds. When diving in deep 

 and clear ■vvater, its motions were distinctly seen : it sank speedily 

 to the bottom, swam there for a short distance, and then rose again 

 to the surface. It appeared, however, to prefer keeping close to the 

 bank, occasionally thrusting its beak into the mud, from whence it 

 evidently procured food, as on raising the head, after withdrawing 

 the beak, the mandibles were seen in lateral motion, as is usual when 

 the animal masticates. The motions of the mandibles were similar 

 to those of a duok under the šame circumstances. After feeding, it 

 would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at others partly in and 

 partly out of the ■vvater, combing and cleaning its coat \vith the claws 

 of the hind feet. This process occupied a considerable time, and 

 greatly improved its sleek and glossy appearance. After its second 

 excursion it was replaced in the box, "vybich •vvas not opened again 

 until the following morning, when it was found to have made its 

 escape. 



Although the summer season was no\v far advanced, Mr. G. 

 Bennett detennined to return to the interior and renew his investi- 

 gations. On the 15th of November he again arrived at Mundoona, 

 where he found that the river had fallen greatly, and sought in vain 

 for the Water-Moles in the spots in -vvhich they had a few weeks be- 

 fore been so abundantly seen. Some burrows \vere also examined, 

 but w'ithoiit success. On the 21st he proceeded to Gadarigby, ou 

 the Murrumbidgee, Avhere his exertions were more successful, seve- 

 ral specimens being obtained ; but the only female shot \vas young 

 and unimpregnated. On the '27th he returned to Mundoona, where 

 a female had been shot the previous day, the uterine organs of 

 ■which aflForded evidence that the young had been just produced. 

 The abdominal glands were large, but no milk could be ex2)ressed 

 from them ; the fur still covered the portion of integument on \vhich 

 its ducts terminated ; and there \vas no appearance of projecting 

 nipple. No such projection vas observed in any of the specimens 

 in which the secretion of milk was demonstrable. Two other females 

 "tt'ere procured at the šame place ; but both proved to be unimpreg- 

 nated. 



On the 8th of December Mr. G. Bennett quitted Mundoona for the 

 banks of the Murrumbidgee, and near Jugiong, on the latter river, 

 had an opportunity of inspecting the burrow of an Ornithorhyncliu)>, 

 containing tliree young ones, which appeared to have not long pre- 

 viously been brought forth. They ■were only thinly covered \vith 

 hair and measured in length about 1^ inch. No fragments of shells 

 were observable in the burrow, nor anything that could lead to the 

 supposition of the young having been excluded while yet in the e^g. 

 A \vant of spirit in Avhich to preserve these interesting specimens 

 uufortunately prevented their conveyance to Sidney. 



On the 28th of December the author visited apart of the Wollon- 

 dilly River, in the neighbourhood of Goulburn Plains, called by the 

 Natives Koroa, in order to explore the burrovv^ of an Ornithorhyn- 

 chus vvhich had there been discovered. The termination of this bur- 

 row \vas thirty-five feet from the entrance ; and Mr. G. Bennett statos 



