THE DUCKBILL. 



67 



which it derives its name. Others call it the Water Mole, on 

 account of its aquatic habits and mole-like fur. 



Some scientific naturalists have called it the OrnUhorhynchus 

 ■paradoxus ; others have given it the name of Platypy^ anatinus 

 — the former title being to my mitfd by far the more appropriate 

 and expressive of. the two. The natives of Australia have sev- 

 eral na,mes for this remarkable animal ; some calling it Mallan- 

 gong, others Tambreet, and others Tohunbuck — the second of 

 these titles being most generally in use. 



./ i 



Mallangong or DuckbilL 



Until Dr. Bennett prosecuted his well-known researches in 

 Australia, no European knew precisely whether the Duckbill 

 was a burrower, or, indeed, whether it had a home of any kind. 

 The natives were well aware of the fact that the animal dug 

 tunnels into the ground, and showed great address in discover- 

 ing the burrows and unearthing the inmates. There, however, 

 their knowledge seemed to end. The only value of an animal 

 to a native Australian is its capability of being eaten, and the 

 only lore which an Australian troubles himself to acquire is the 

 knowledge of the habits of the animal with reference to catching 



