NOTE-BOOK OF A NATURALIST. 179 



of the cornea, and that the retraction of the eyeball is 

 accompanied by a protrusion of a large and thick 'palpe- 

 bra nictitans, and by a simultaneous rolling of the ball 

 obliquely downwards, and inwards, or forwards. There 

 is, he adds, a caruncle, or protuberance, on the middle 

 of the outer surface of the nictitating lid. The colour of 

 the iris he describes as dark brown, the pupil as a small 

 transversely oblong aperture, and the eyeball as relatively 

 small, and remarkable for the extent of the movements 

 of jDrotraction and retraction. 



The nostrils (continues the Professor), situated on prominences 

 which the animal has the power of raising, on the upper part of 

 the broad and massive muzzle, are short, oblique slits, guarded by 

 two valves, which can be opened and closed spontaneously like 

 the eyelids. The movements of these apertures are most con- 

 spicuous when the beast is in his favourite element. The wide 

 mouth is chiefly remarkable for the upward curve of its angles 

 towards the eyes, which gives a quaintly comic expression to the 

 massive countenance. The short and small milk-tusks project a 

 little, and the minute deciduous incisors appear to be sunk in 

 grooves or pits of the thick gums : but the animal would not 

 permit any close examination of his teeth ; withdrawing his head 

 from the attempt, and then threatening to bite. The muzzle is 

 beset with short bristles, projecting at pretty regular distances ; 

 several of them appearing to be split into tufts or pencils of short 

 hairs. Extremely fine and short hairs are scattered all over the 

 back and sides ; which are not very obvious, except ujion a close 

 inspection. The tail is short, rather flattened, and gradually 

 tapering to an obtuse point. 



The animal, when just out of the water, appeared to 

 me to be of a bluish-black colour above — except the 

 ears, which were flesh colour, and which it moved in a 

 vivacious manner, — and of a ruddy flesh colour below. 

 There was a scar on the left side. 



The rictus of the mouth was very grotesque, and made 

 a sharp angle upward when the creature gaped. The 

 skin was dotted at short intervals with the apertures of 

 the muciparous glands exuding the liquor for lubricating 

 the hide. Though at first sight the hide looks hairless. 



