MAMMIFBROUS ANIMALS. 368 



is about the size of a moderately grown kitten, 

 and is distinguished from all Mammiferous Ani- 

 mals, by the peculiar formation of its mandibles 

 or jaws, which resemble, in every particular, the 

 broad, flat bill of the Duck tribes, are similarly 

 covered with a soft membrane, and like the bill 

 of the Duck, their lateral edges are serrated. 

 All the feet are webbed, the webs on the front 

 feet projecting beyond the claws, by which 

 means they can be folded up, or expanded, at the 

 pleasure of the animal. 



This animal is an expert swimmer, and is fre- 

 quently seen on the surface of the water which 

 it seldom quits, blowing like a turtle. But 

 as it is from Dr. Shaw that we have the fullest 

 account of the Ornithorynchus, we shall intro- 

 duce it in his own words, as published in his 

 Naturalist's Miscellany. 



" Of all the Mammalia yet known, this animal 

 seems the most extraordinary in its conforma- 

 tion ; exhibiting the perfect resemblance of the 

 beak of a duck, engrafted on the head of a quad- 

 ruped. So accurate is the similitude, that at first 

 view, it naturally excites the idea of some decep- 

 tive preparation by artificial means ; the very epi-> 

 dermis, proportions, serrations, manner of open- 

 ing, and other particulars of the beak of a Sho- 

 veller, or other broad billed species of Duck, 

 presenting themselves to the view ; nor is it with- 

 out the most minute and rigid examination, that 



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