THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS PARADOXUS. 249 
shallow water and mud near the banks, it crawled up the bank, and lying down on the 
grass, enjoyed the luxury of scratching itself and rolling about. 
In this process of cleaning itself, the hind claws were alone brought into use for the 
operation, first the claws of one hind leg, then those of the other ; but finding that it 
could not use the one to which the string was attached so well as the other which was 
disengaged, after repeated trials it gave up the attempt. The body being so capable of 
contraction was readily brought within reach of the hind feet, and the head also was 
brought so close as to have its share in the universal cleaning process. The animal 
remained for more than an hour cleaning itself, after which it had a more sleek and 
glossy appearance than before. On placing my hand on a part which it was scratching 
at the time, the claws passed over my hand instead of the animal’s body, and I found 
that it performed the combing in a remarkably gentle manner. On my attempting to 
scratch the place gently, it started away, but not far, and soon resumed the method of 
cleaning itself in which I had interrupted it. It permitted me at last to smooth it 
gently over the back, but disliked being handled. After I had given it a range for three 
hours, it was replaced in its temporary habitation, the box. 
The animal was brought in safety to the township of Bong Bong, at which place we 
arrived on the 16th, and while the horses were feeding, I took the advantage of the river 
passing through the place to indulge it with a bathe, and with an opportunity of feeding 
on the banks of the stream. It was fast asleep when | opened its box, but it was soon 
roused, and instinctively made for the water, plunging in, and taking a good range of the 
cord, which as before was attached to the hind leg. It was exceedingly lively, swam in 
the centre of the stream, dived, and appeared in excellent health and spirits. The water 
at one part of the river being very clear, I saw its motions distinctly under the water. 
On diving it sank speedily to the bottom, swam there for a short distance, and then rose 
again to the surface ; it ranged the banks, guiding itself in its progress according to the 
impressions received by the mandibles, which appeared to me to be used by it as very 
delicate organs of touch. It seemed to feed well, for whenever it inserted its beak into 
the mud, it evidently procured some food from thence, as on raising the head after 
withdrawing the beak, the mandibles were seen in lateral motion as is usual when the 
animal masticates. Although several insects were basking and fluttering about the sur- 
face of the water, close to it, no attempt was made to capture them, either from its not 
seeing them or from its preferring the food which the mud afforded. The motions of 
the mandibles in this animal when seeking its food in the mud or water, are the same 
as those of a Duck when feeding in similar situations. After feeding it would lie some- 
times on the grassy bank, and at others partly in and partly out of the water, combing 
and cleaning its coat as usual with the claws of the hind feet. After permitting it to 
swim, feed, and clean itself for an hour, it was replaced, although with great reluctance 
on its own part, in its box: it did not, however, as before, betake itself to repose, but 
commenced and continued a scratching on the sides of the box. 
