ZOOLOGY. 



PLATYPUS; or ORNITHORINXUS 

 PARADOXUS. 



THE singular structure and appearance of the animal 

 which we are about to describe seem to remove it equally 

 from almost every creature at present known, and with 

 which, according to the Linnaean system, we should be 

 inclined to class it. The extensive Continent of New Hol- 

 land, or rather Island (as it may more properly be termed) 

 being entirely surrounded by the Sea, is now ascertained to 

 be of an amazing size, larger than the whole of Europe, 

 and to contain animals of quite a different nature to those 

 found in the other parts of the World. 



This is to be considered as the strongest natural proof 

 to a reasoning mind, that the Flood or Diluvian Overflux 

 of the Ocean, was not universal, for if so, it would be 

 impossible to account for the restoration of each individual 

 species to each particular climate. 



The Plants, the Insects, the Animals, and even the Fish, 

 are in this new and lately discovered region, entirely distinct 

 and secluded in their nature and manners; even man himself 

 seems to differ here from his own species in the peculiarly 

 untractable and savage constitution of his mind. Although 

 it is not very improbable that the human species may have 

 emigrated to this singularly detached country, from the 

 neighbouring Islands of the South Sea, yet it is utterly 

 incredible that the animals could have done so, or that they 

 could have been brought there for any particular purpose, 

 as they are not to be found any were else in a similar state. 

 The Kangaroo, the Opossum and the Wombach of New 

 Holland, and above all, the animal about to be described.* 



