OR, A TREATISE ON PILE. 13 
. 
above described; it is ;*, of an inch in length, and has a diameter of 5,155 of an inch; it 
contains the same kind of black rings with white interstices, but this pile is destitute of 
the flat portion found in the kind first described. 
Remarks.—1st. The plumbeous color, formed by blending the color of the black rings 
with that of the white interstices, is not peculiar to this pile, but may be seen in the wool 
of many of the fur-bearing animals, and in the beard of some feathers. 
2d. The same filament having its inferior extremity fine and resembling wool, and its 
superior one broader and somewhat resembling the feather found upon the head of the 
Toucan and on the Ostrich, although uncommon, is not peculiar to this pile; it may be 
witnessed in that of the Ferret, the Mink, and some others of the fur-bearing animals, and 
also in the pile of the Sloth. 
3d. It is very unusual to find in the same filament, the colormg matter so variously 
distributed and disposed as it is in this pile. 
4th. The peculiarities of this pile are the spires or capsules, resembling those found in 
the cylinder of a feather, and the absence of a button. 
a “The mouth of this quadruped, (says J. Rymer Jones,) resembles that of a Duck, whence the common name ‘ Duck-Bill.’ 
It has, moreover, a distinct furcular bone in addition to what would seem to be the ordinary clavicle; but, in reality, these 
are the coracoid bones, still largely developed. Moreover, the anterior or sternal ribs are ossified, and a spur is attached to 
the hind foot of the male; not remotely resembling that of a cock. This last appendage is perforated by a duct, and has a 
gland connected with it, situated on the inner side of the thigh, by which a poisoned secretion was formerly supposed to he 
elaborated.” 
From Professor Owen we learn that the ovaria of the female ornithorynchus exhibit all the essential characters of the 
mammiferous type of structure; that the eggs haye no connection with the walls of the uterus, and that each oyum has an 
albumen and a yolk. For these, and other reasons, he infers that it is a viviparous animal. But, in some other respects, the 
ovum differs from an ordinary egg; and there is no analogy to the bird in the disposition of its pubic bones, which seems to 
confirm the view that the animal is produced alive. Some, however, to get rid of this difficulty, conjecture that it is 
ovo-viviparous. There is no reason to believe that a placenta exists ; neither is there any marsupial pouch, in which to carry 
the young, if prematurely born. In a very young specimen, examined by Professor Owen, the stomach was filled with milk, 
put there was no trace of an umbilical cicatrix. The animal is dull and inactive in confinement and can live a month without 
food, in which respect it resembles reptiles. 
