MONOTREMATA. 139 



indulgence was granted to it on the second day of 

 its journey. On these occasions it soon found its 

 way into the water, and travelled up the stream, 

 apparently delighting in those places which abounded 

 most with aquatic weeds. When diving in deep 

 and clear water, its motions were distinctly seen; 

 it sank speedily to the bottom, swam there for a 

 short distance, and then rose again to the surface. 

 It appeared, however, to prefer keeping close to 

 the bank, occasionally thrusting its beak into the 

 mud, from whence it evidently procured food, as 

 on raising the head, after withdrawing the beak, 

 the mandibles were seen in lateral motion, as is 

 usual when the animal masticates. The motions 

 of the mandibles were similar to those of a duck 

 under the same circumstance. After feeding, it 

 would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at 

 others, partly in and partly out of the water, comb- 

 ing and cleaning its coat with the claws of the hind 

 feet. This process occupied a considerable time, 

 and greatly improved its sleek and glossy appear- 

 ance. After its second excursion it was replaced 

 in the box, which was not opened again until the 

 following morning, when it was found to have made 

 its escape." 



" On the 28th December the author visited a part 

 of the Wollondilly River in the neighbourhood of 

 Goulburn Plains, called by the natives Koroa, in 

 order to explore the burrow of an Ornithorhynchus, 

 which had there been discovered. The termination 

 of this burrow was thirty-five feet from the entrance ; 



