68 



The iron contained in this ore is in the same state as it is found 

 in Wolfram, namely, brown oxide ; and this oxide is mineralized by 

 the new metallic acid in the same manner as the oxides of iron and 

 manganese are mineralized by the tungstic acid, or rather oxide. 

 Several facts which have appeared in the course of this investigation 

 seem to prove that this new metal differs from tungsten and the 

 other acidifiable metals by a more limited extent of oxidation ; for, 

 unlike these, it seems to be incapable of retaining'oxygen sufficient to 

 enable the total quantity to combine with fixed alkalies. 



All that can be said at present as to the uses of this metal is, that 

 an olive-green prussiate, and an orange -coloured gallate they yield, 

 are both very fine colours, which, as they do not appear to fade when 

 exposed to light and air, may probably be employed with advantage 

 as pigments. The author lastly hazards a conjecture, that several of 

 the newly discovered metals and other substances, which are now 

 considered as simple, primitive, and distinct bodies, will, upon further 

 examination, turn out to be compounds. Meanwhile as the new 

 metal here described appears hitherto distinct from all the others, it 

 cannot but be expedient to distinguish it by a proper appellation ; 

 and the least objectionable that has hitherto occurred, is that of Co- 

 lumbium. 



A Description of the Anatomy of the Ornithorhynchus paradoxus. 

 By Everard Home, Esq. F.R.S. Read December 17, 1801. 

 [Phil. Trans. 1802,;?. 67.] 



Two specimens of this curious animal, lately brought from New 

 South Wales, the one male and the other female, and both full 

 grown and perfect, having been submitted to the inspection and 

 close examination of Mr. Home, by Sir Joseph Banks, this gentle- 

 man has availed himself of the favourable opportunity to draw up the 

 full account of all that is hitherto known concerning its habits, of its 

 external appearance, and internal structure now before us. 



The animal has hitherto been only found in the fresh- water lakes 

 in the interior parts of the above-mentioned country. It does not 

 swim upon the surface of the water, but comes up occasionally to 

 breathe. It chiefly inhabits the banks of these lakes, and is supposed 

 to feed in the muddy places which surround them ; but the particular 

 kind of food on which it subsists is not known. 



As in its anatomical structure this animal differs in many respects 

 from other quadrupeds, those who interest themselves in inquiries 

 of this nature will be gratified to find in this paper a comparative 

 view of those deviations ; and when they have satisfied themselves 

 in this respect, they will probably allow that it is long since facts so 

 singular and novel have been brought to light respecting the science 

 of comparative anatomy. Being obliged, as is usual in all descrip- 

 tive communications of this kind, to refer to the paper itself for an 

 adequate estimate of ts merits, we shall dwell briefly upon a few of 



