THE DEPOSITION OF THE EGGS OF MONOTREMES. 

 By HARRY BURRELL. 



In his book " In the Australian Bush," p. 162, Semon expresses the belief that the mother Echidna 

 places her egg in the pouch by means of her long muzzle, and not with her clumsy limbs. From 

 personal observation, however, I am inclined to think that such a method is quite unnecessary, if not 

 incorrect. I have examined several adult females " in season " when the pouch is fully developed, 

 and on three occasions, after persuading the animals to unfold themselves from their Pill-bug-like balls, 

 have found fresh excreta deposited in their pouches. This suggests that the egg may be similarly 

 deposited directly into the pouch, without the assistance of either limbs or beak. 



The same idea may also throw a gleam of light on the secret method acquired by the pouchless 

 platypus in both the laying and hatching of her eggs. Though it is generally supposed that the eggs 

 are laid in the nest, there is no information as to the process of incubation, so a little theory on this 

 subject may prove of interest. Having examined the tunnels and breeding chambers of Ornithorhynchus , 

 I find that the nesting recess is too small to permit an adult animal to sit bird-like in comfort on the 

 eggs, while it does not seem feasible to suppose she props her tail against the side wall of the cavity, 

 or allow it to hang out and become an obstruction in the subway. The platypus always sleeps coiled 

 up with the tail tucked beneath the abdomen, and in this posture she could easily deposit her eggs 

 on the slightly concave under surface of the tail, which, when clasped to the body, becomes a serviceable 

 substitute for a pouch. If she should require to go in search of food while incubating, it would be 

 quite simple for her to transfer the egg or eggs to the nest, and just as easy to replace them again on 

 her return. Having studied the Platypus in captivity as well as in its natural haunts, I am convinced 

 that most of the principal duties are performed with its active and powerful fore-limbs. When 

 climbing, walking, or tunnelling, the membrane is conveniently folded back into the palm of the hand, 

 and when quietly swimming the hind-legs are trailed inertly behind with the tail. In grooming or scratch- 

 ing itself, this quaint contortionist squats " tripod fashion " on its haunches, and imitates every antic 

 peculiar to a flea-infested monkev. This evidence is surely sufficient for one to surmise at least the 

 possibility of a Platypus possessing the ability to manipulate her eggs or even the newly-hatched young, 

 if necessarv, with her soft, rubber-like hands. 



