526 



HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



"AN AMPHIBIOUS ANIMAL 



Is found in the fresh water lakes, which is about 

 the size of a small Cat; it chiefly frequents the 

 banks of the lakes ; its bill is very similar to that 

 of a Duck, and it probably feeds in muddy places 

 in the same way; its eyes are very small; it has 

 four short legs; the fore legs are shorter than those 

 of the hind, and their webs spread considerably 

 beyond the claws, which enables it to swim with 

 great ease; the hind legs are also webbed, and the 

 claws are long and sharp. They are frequently 

 seen on the surface of the water, where they blow 

 like a turtle : their tail is thick, short, and very fat. 



" The natives say they sometimes see them of a 

 very large size/' 



