THE PLATYPUS. 405 



cavity in which they were placed not exceeding 

 the tenth of an inch. 



" When we consider the general form of this 

 animal, and particularly its bill and webbed feet, 

 we shall readily perceive that it must be a resi- 

 dent in watery situations ; that it has the habit 

 of digging or burrowing in the banks of rivers, 

 or under ground ; and that its food consists of 

 aquatic plants and animals. This is all that can 

 at present be reasonably guessed at ; future ob- 

 servations, made in its native regions, will, it is 

 hoped, afford us more ample information, and will 

 make us fully acquainted with the natural history 

 of an animal which differs so widely from all other 

 quadrupeds, and which verifies in a most strik- 

 ing manner the observation of Buffon, viz. " that 

 whatever was possible for nature to produce, has 

 actually been produced." 



On Si minute examination of the platypus it 

 was discovered, that the beak is not the mouth of 

 the animal, but merely a projection of the bones 

 of the nose and palate, serving it instead of fore- 

 teeth ; that the mouth is seated behind this pro- 

 jection ; and that the tongue, which is about half 

 an inch long, can be drawn entirely into the 

 mouth. On laying open the parts beyond the 

 base of the bill, it appeared that the platypus, 

 like the ant-bear, is furnished with small long 

 processes, resembling grinding teeth, imbedded 

 in the gum, but not rooted in the jaw ; and of 

 these processes there are two on each side, both 

 of the upper and under jaw.*] 



* Phil. Trans, vol. xc. 



