DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS. 13 



and is so formed that the animal is able to coil it round 

 the branch of a tree, or any other object, for the purpose 

 of preventing itself from falling. It is a native of South 

 America. 



This species is in size not much larger than a squirrel. 

 Its hair is of a yellowish colour, and it has on the fore 

 feet two, and on the hind feet four claws. The under side 

 of the tail, near the extremity, is naked. 



6. PLATYPUS TRIBE. 



There is only one known species of Platypus. 



Duck-billed Platypus. This is one of the most extra- 

 ordinary of all animals, exhibiting the perfect resem- 

 blance of a duck's beak, grafted on the head of a quad- 

 ruped. So accurate is the similitude, that, at first view, 

 it naturally excites the idea of some deceptive and 

 artificial preparation. From this singular structure, and 

 from the circumstance of its webbed feet, it is very evi- 

 dent that the animal resides in watery situations, and 

 nibbles about for its food, like a duck, in the mud 

 and ooze. Nothing, however, is hitherto known, with 

 certainty, respecting its habits and mode of living. It is 

 a native of New Holland. 



In length it measures about thirteen inches, including 

 the tail, which is about three inches long. The beak 

 is not more than an inch and a half in length. The 

 legs are very short, and terminate in a broad web, 

 which, on the fore feet, extends to a considerable distance 

 beyond the claws. The body is depressed, and has some 

 resemblance to that of an otter in miniature. It is 

 covered with a thick, soft, brownish -coloured fur, which 

 is considerably darker on the upper than on the under 

 parts. 



