300 THE ORNITHORHYNCHUS. 



commenced playing with one another like two puppies, attack- 

 ing with their mandibles, and raising the fore-paws against each 

 other. In the struggle one would throw the other down, and at 

 the moment when the spectator would expect it to rise again 

 and renew the combat, it would commence scratching itself, its 

 antagonist looking on, and waiting for the sport to be renewed." 

 They were very fond of combing themselves with their hind- 

 feet ; an operation they generally performed after bathing, and 

 before retiring for the night. Previous to seeking repose, they 

 would perambulate the room for a short time. The ingenuity 

 and expertness they displayed in climbing to the summit of a 

 book-case, or any other elevated piece of furniture, was very 

 surprising, because the opportunity or the necessity of per- 

 forming any such feat could scarcely have occurred to them 

 in a state of nature 5 it reminds one of the celebrated recent 

 escape from Newgate, effected by a chimney-sweep, who adopted 

 a similar course. The ornithorhynchus " placed its back against 

 the wall, and its feet against the book-case, and then, by means 

 of the strong cutaneous muscles of the back, and the claws of 

 the feet, contrived to reach the top very expeditiously. Both 

 often performed this mode of climbing, so that I had frequent 

 opportunities of witnessing the manner in which it was done." 

 They delighted in an occasional swim, and when placed near 

 the water (a cord having been fastened round the hind leg to 

 prevent escape), they would make their own way into it, and 

 travel up and down the stream, at the same time showing a 

 partiality for those places that most abounded in aquatic weeds. 

 After swimming and feeding, they would lie down on the grassy 

 bank, to comb and clean their coats. 



From all that is known of the habits and disposition of the 

 ornithorhynchus, it appears to be a harmless creature ; its 

 extreme timidity induces it to seek for solitude, and to haunt 

 only the most unfrequented parts of rivers. It is true that, 

 when handled or disturbed, it evinces its displeasure by a low 

 growl, but yet it never shows a disposition to bite or scratch. 

 In Martin's History of Austral-Asia (page HI), it is asserted that 



