﻿2 26 Allen's naturalist's library. 



after the manner of Birds ; this opinion being based on the 

 similarity between the reproductive organs of the Monotremes 

 and those of Birds. After various other naturahsts had taken 

 part in the discussion, some of whom even denied the existence 

 of milk-glands, or, if they admitted these, regarded them as 

 different from those of other Mammals, Owen entered the 

 arena, and, after fully confirming Meckel's demonstration of 

 the existence of the glands in question, decided that the 

 Monotremes hatched their eggs within their own bodies and 

 brought forth living young, which were suckled by their female 

 parent until able to shift for themselves. 



The great authority of Owen on all questions connected with 

 anatomy and zoology seems to have led to the oo-viviparous 

 reproduction of the Monotremes being accepted as a settled 

 fact for many years. This was confirmed in a work published 

 in i860, by Dr. George Bennett, who devoted much time and 

 labour to the endeavour to elucidate the breeding habits of one 

 of these creatures, and who, in spite of the somewhat confused 

 accounts of the natives to the contrary, came to the conclusion 

 that in all probability these animals did not lay eggs. Thus 

 matters stood for many years, and it was not until 1884 that it 

 was conclusively proved that the Monotremes did actually lay 

 eggs similar in structure to those of Birds and Reptiles. 



Curiously enough, there was another deficiency in our know- 

 ledge of one of these animals — the Duck-bill, — which was not 

 remedied till 1888, and then only partially so. This relates to 

 the alleged absence in this creature of teeth, the place of which 

 was believed to be supplied by a series of horny plates on the 

 palate. Nevertheless, it was finally proved that during a certain 

 portion of their existence these animals do possess well- 

 developed teeth ; such teeth being of a very peculiar and re- 

 markable type. 



The Monotremes derive their name from the circumstance 



