OUDER XI. THE MAKSUriALIA. 351 



interesting account of tlie liabits of the animal as observcil in confinement. 

 Tlicy describe it as an ai)atlietic and stu[iid animal ; for the first month after 

 its capture it took no sustenance whatever, and became very thin, though 

 without appearing to suH'er. It was tond of obscurity, shunning the light 

 during the day, and crouching to the ground with its head between its legs ; 

 in this position it presented at all parts a mass of spines like a hedgehog, but 

 was not able to roll itself up in a ball like that animal. Notwithstanding 

 the inacti\ity of the echidna, it appeared to like its liberty, for it made con- 

 stant efforts to get out of the cage in which it was placed. It burrowed with 

 a rapidity truly astonishing. A large chest of earth containing plants being- 

 given to it, the animal arrived at the bottom in less than two minutes. The 

 muzzle, although extremely sensitive, assisted in the work. 



After a month of aljstinence it took to eating. The food given t<J it was 

 a mixture of tlour, water, and sugar, of which it consumed nearly half a 

 glass per day. 



Ornitltorlnjucus T'analu.ats. — Tiiis curious animal is about twenty inches 

 in length ; the body tajjcrs at both extremities; the head is small, but the 

 facial portion is greatly developed, and may be compared to tiie beak of a 

 duck. The legs are so siiort that tliey do not prevent the body from touch- 

 ing the ground. The feet are webbed, and armed with powerful claws, 

 which enables the animal to swim and burrow with facility. 



The burrows of the ornithorhynchiis somewhat resemble those of the 

 water-mole, and sometimes are forty or fifty feet in length. According to 

 Mr. G. Bennett, these animals have a great fondness for the water, and 

 " chiefly frequent the open and tranquil parts of the stream, covered with 

 aquatic plants, where the steep and shaded banks afford excellent situations 

 for the excavation of their burrows. Such expanses of water are by the 

 colonists called 'ponds.' The animals may be readily recognized by their 

 dark bodies just seen level with the surface, above which the head is slightly 

 raised, and by the circles made in the water around them by their paddling 

 action. On the slightest alarm they instantly disappear ; and, indeed, tliey 

 seldom remain longer on the surface than one or two minutes, but dive head 

 foremost, with an audible splash, rca]ipcaring, if not alarmed, a short dis- 

 tance' from the spot at which they dived. Their action is so rapid, and their 

 sense of danger so lively, that the mere act of levelling the gun is sufUcicnt 

 to cause their instant disappearance ; and it is consequently only by watch- 

 ing them when diving, and levelling the piece in a direction towards tjie 

 spot at which they seem likely to reappear, that a fair siiot at them can be 

 obtained. A near shot is absolutely requisite ; and when wounded they 

 usindly sink immediately, but quickly reappear on the surface." 



i\Ir. Bennett captured a female, and placed it in a cask, with moss, mud, 



