145 



which abounded most with aquatic weeds. When diving in deep 

 and clear water, its motions were distinctly seen : it sank speedily 

 to the bottom, swam there for a short distance, and then rose again 

 to the surface. It appeared, however, to prefer keeping close to the 

 bank, occasionally thrusting its beak into the mud, from whence it 

 evidently procured food, as on raising the head, after withdrawing 

 the beak, the mandibles were seen in lateral motion, as is usual when 

 the animal masticates. The motions of the mandibles were similar 

 to those of a duck under the same circumstances. After feeding, it 

 would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at others partly in and 

 partly out of the water, combing and cleaning its coat with the claws 

 of the hind feet. This process occupied a considerable time, and 

 greatly improved its sleek and glossy appearance. After its second 

 excursion it was replaced in the box, which was not opened again 

 until the following morning, when it was found to have made its 

 escape. 



Although the summer season was now far advanced, Mr. G. 

 Bennett detennined to return to the interior and renew his investi- 

 gations. On the 15th of November he again arrived at Mundoona, 

 where he found that the river had fallen greatly, and sought in vain 

 for the Water-Moles in the spots in which they had a few weeks be- 

 fore been so abundantly seen. Some burrows were also examined, 

 but without success. On the 21st he proceeded to Gadarigby, on 

 the Murrumbidgee, where his exertions were more successful, seve- 

 ral specimens being obtained ; but the only female shot was young 

 and unimpregnated. On the l'7th he returned to Mundoona, where 

 a female had been shot the previous dajs the uterine organs of 

 which afforded evidence that the j'oung had been just produced. 

 The abdominal glands were large, but no milk could be expressed 

 from them ; the fur still covered the portion of integument on which 

 its ducts terminated ; and there was no appearance of projecting 

 nipple. No such projection was observed in any of the specimens 

 in which the secretion of milk was demonstrable. Two other females 

 were procured at the same place ; but both proved to be unimpreg- 

 nated. 



On the 8th of December Mr. G. Bennett quitted Mundoona for the 

 banks of the Murrumbidgee, and near Jugiong, on the latter river, 

 had an opportunity of inspecting the burrow of an Ornithorhynchus, 

 containing three young ones, which appeared to have not long pre- 

 viously been brought forth. They were only thinly covered with 

 hair and measured in length about 1^ inch. No fragments of shells 

 were observable in the burrow, nor anything that could lead to the 

 supposition of the young having been excluded while yet in the egg. 

 A want of spirit in which to preserve these interesting s])ecimens 

 mifortunately prevented their conveyance to Sidney. 



On the 28th of December the author visited apart of the Wollon- 

 dilly River, in the neighbourhood of Goulburn Plains, called by the 

 Natives Koroa, in order to explore the burrow of an Ornithorhyn- 

 chus which had there been discovered. The termination of this bur- 

 row was thirty-five feet from the entrance ; and Mr. G. Bennett states 



