.l64 TMS. PLATYPUS TRIBE. 



Iqe better closed than with the following expressive 

 lines, finely descriptive of his native state : 



-Peaceful beneath primeval trees, that cast 

 2'heir ample shade o'er Niger's yellow stream. 

 And where the Ganges rolls his sacred wave; 

 Or mid the central depth of black'ning woods. 

 High raisM in solemn theatre around ; 

 Leans the huge Elephant, wisest of brutes. 

 O truly wise ! with gentle might endow'd ; 

 Though powerful, not destructive ! Here he sees 

 Revolving'sages sweep the changeful earth, 

 And empires riie and fall ; regardless he 

 Of what the never-resting race of men 

 Project : thrice happ)^ ! could he 'scape their guile. 

 Who mine, from cruel avarice, his steps ; 

 Or with his tow'ry grandeur swell their state. 

 The prideof kings ! or else his strength pervert. 

 And bid him rage amid the mortal fray, 

 Astonish'd at the madness of mankind. 



THE PLATYPUS TRIBE. 



THE only anliiial at present known as belonging 

 to this very extraordinary tribe, was discovered a few 

 years ago, in New Holland. Sir Joseph Banks had 

 in his possession two specimens, which were sent 

 over by Governor Hunter ; and only one or two 

 others have as yet arrived in this kinp-dorn. 



The Platypus has two grinders on each side both 

 of the upper and lower jaw. Instead of front' 

 teeth, it has a process resembling the bill of a Duck* 

 The feet are webbed. 



