THE SPURS OF THE DUCK-BILL 79 



entirely without those convolutions and furrows which are 

 found on this organ in animals of highly-developed organi- 

 sation, and which are considered by anatomists an indica- 

 tion of superior intelligence. But with the monotremata 

 this indication is not to be relied on, for notwithstanding 

 that the echidna has, superficially, the highest type of brain, 

 it is the least intelligent of the monotreme family, while 

 the duck-bill is by no means lacking in intelligence, though 

 it has the lowest type of brain of all known mammals. 



The echidna is a solitary animal, a pair, at most, being 

 found together ; but the duck-bills congregate in small 

 flocks of twenty to sixty or eighty individuals, the number 

 living in company seeming to depend on the size of the 

 pool they inhabit. In very small pools, not more than 

 twenty or thirty yards across, there may not be more than 

 six or eight duck-bills, but there are sure to be others in 

 the neighbourhood. Sometimes, when a large pool is well- 

 stocked, there may be a few duck-bills in all the smaller 

 ponds for a distance of many miles along the river — these 

 pools being generally separated in summer by stretches of 

 perfectly dry bed. Never, under any circumstances, is a 

 solitary pair of these little animals found living alone. 

 There are sure to be more than one pair in a pool, and 

 many others in the water-holes close at hand. 



The duck-bill though a curious, is, I think, a pretty 

 animal. Its fur, of a fine deep brown colour, is soft and 

 velvet-like to the touch, and very thick, and its small eyes 

 are bright and expressive. Like the echidna it is a 

 perfectly harmless creature, and absolutely incapable of 

 aggression. The spurs of the males are large and strong, 

 considering the size of the animal, but they are certainly 

 never used for defensive purposes. Their use is a great 

 mystery. I am almost sure that the duck-bills, as well as 

 the echidnas, pair for life ; the sexual contests, therefore, 

 which are supposed to be the objective of these weapons, 

 are not likely ever to take place ; besides, though I have 

 watched them very closely, I have never seen anything 

 like fights or quarrels amongst them. They are very 

 peaceable animals. Some few creatures prey on them — 



