226 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
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 naturalists 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 } 
: 
res ws — 
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. 4 
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 asa settled | 
fact for many years. ‘This was confirmed in a work published | 
in 1860, by Dr. George Bennett, who devoted much time and 4 
labour to the endeavour to elucidate the breeding habits of one || 
of these creatures, and who, in spite of the somewhat confused J 
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. 
remedied till 1888, and then only partially so. This relates toy 
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 certaini§ 
portion of their existence these animals do possess well-: 
developed teeth; such teeth being of a very peculiar and re-| 
markable type. y 
The Monotremes derive their name from the circumstance! 
