THE DUuK-BILLED PLATYPUS, OH OENITIIOItVNrilUS. 



in which they seek their food. The entrance is generally larger thin, the net of the paasage, but the 

 jrmination is specially enlarged for the comfort of the parents and th.-ir o!ls|,ring 



"After having traced one," says Mr. G. Bennett, "for the distance of tea feet four in.-],.* and 

 g just delved down upon it so as to perceive it still continuing its eOone up the bank the l,,,,k 

 head of a water-mole were seen protruding for an instant from the upper part, ai if it 

 Curbed from its repose, and had come down to see what we were about with its habitati,,,, |, 



only remained for an instant ; for, as soon as it beheld us, it immediately turned up to take red in 



that part of the burrow which yet remained unexplored. In turning round, however, H ed by 



the leg, and dragged out. The animal appeared very much alarmed when it was !,.,,, 1,.,| out , 



subterranean dwelling I* uttered no sound, nor did it attempt to bite. It prored to 



be a full-grown female. When I held the unfortunate Platypus in my hands, its bright little eyes 

 glistened, and the orifices of the ears were expanded and contracted alternately, as if eager to < 

 the slightest sound, while its heart palpitated violently with fear and anxiety This animal 



THE DUCK-IULI.. 



uttered, when disturbed from its sleep, a noise something like the growl ot a puppy, but, perhaps, in a 

 softer and more harmonious key. Although quiet for the greatest part of the day, it made etl'orts io 

 escape, and uttered a growling noise during the night." 



A Family* of Marine Carnivorous Mammalia includes two remarkable genera. In one of these 

 we find the Seals; in the other the Walrus. 



The brain of the seal is well developed. The body, which is long and conical, tapers from tlu- 

 chest to the tail, and the pelvis is so narrowed as not to prevent this decrease. .Muscles attached to 

 the spine are able to deflect it with considerable force. Short, stifl', glossy liaii-s constitute the clothing : 

 these are very closely set, and adpressed against the skin. The limbs are oars, or paddle-*. Tin- 

 anterior pair have the humerus and fore arm so short, that little more than the paw ad\aiuv.< from the 

 body the paw consisting of five fingers, impacted in skin; the nails, which arc Hat, showing their 

 number. The hinder limbs, directed backwards; a,nd the bones are short and strong. Tin- t'cet, 

 broad-webbed paddles, consist of five toes the central is the shortest, the outer one on each side t In- 

 longest. When not in action, the webs of these paddles are folded, and the toes are in contact ; but 



* Phocidie. 



