MONOTREMATA. 135 



feet in length, with a rounded, flattened body, 

 covered with short, soft fur, of a deep brown hue : 

 it has a short, flat tail; very short legs, the toes 

 united by a web, which in the fore feet spreads out 

 considerably beyond the tips of the claws. This 

 formation enables it to swim with ease and grace; 

 but as it also burrows in the earth, the free part of 

 the web folds back when thus engaged, and leaves 

 the claws unin cumbered. The muzzle is more de- 

 veloped and more beak-like than in the Echidna ; 

 very much resembling the broad flat bill of some 

 of the Ducks, covered with a blackish skin, which 

 overlaps at the edges, and folds back at the base into 

 a broad margin. The place of molar teeth is sup- 

 plied by eight broad horny excrescences, (two on 

 each side of each mandible,) of an irregular form, 

 which probably serve as grinders, but have no roots. 

 The eyes are small but brilliant, and the orifice of 

 the ear is readily detected by its opening and closing, 

 in a living animal. 



We have already alluded to the uncertainty of the 

 mode of its reproduction ; and the researches of G. 

 Bennett, Esq., to clear up this mystery, are highly 

 interesting and important. We cannot refrain from 

 quoting some of the details of them given in the 

 Proceedings of the Zoological Society,* though want 

 of space forbids us to transcribe the many amusing 

 particulars contained in the more full and perfect 

 statement of that gentleman himself, published in 

 the Society's Transactions. f 



* 1834, p. 141. f Vol. I. p. 229. 



