OR, A TREATISE ON PILE. 13 



above described ; it is j\ of an inch in length, and has a diameter of ^^ f an 

 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 coloring 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-Sill.' 

 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 be 

 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 have no connection with the walls of the uterus, and that each ovum 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 

 ova-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, 

 but 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. 



