ZOOLOGY 





are so evidently distinguished, that we must consider them 

 as created in their present situation, as one great link in the 

 chain of animated existences. Some modern philosophers 

 anxious to account for the infinite varieties of animals and 

 plants, found indifferent regions of the Globe, have asserted, 

 that by the lapse of ages, or the change of food and climate, 

 such an alteration may gradually take place, as to make 

 from the same individual an apparently different species. 

 Such a theory however seems by no means reconcilable with 

 the generally acknowledged facts of nature. 



The Platypus might be classed along with the Seals, if 

 We were to consider only its external appearance, as its legs 

 are very short and invested with a membranceous fin between 

 the toes for the purposes of swimming, and which stamps its 

 character as an aquatic animal. Its nose or bill much 

 resembles that of a Duck ; there are no teeth, but in place 

 thereof is a serrated ridge on the internal edges of the under 

 mandible. The length of the whole animal is thirteen inches, 

 measuring from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail. 

 It resides chiefly in watery situations on the banks of rivers, 

 and its food is supposed to consist of aquatic plants and 

 animals. On the upper part of the head, on each side, a 

 little beyond the beak, are situated two small oval spots of 

 white, in the lower part of which are imbedded the eyes, 

 or at least those parts which Nature has allotted for vision, 

 but they seem (perhaps like those of some of the Moles) 

 but imperfectly calculated for distinct vision. Its general 

 conformation appeared so extraordinary that when first dis- 

 covered, some eminent Naturalists suspected an intention of 

 deceit in the different descriptions given of it, but several 

 specimens being lately obtained from New Holland, their 

 doubts of its originality became compleatly removed. 



A second animal of the same Genus, and which may 

 be called the Platypus Longirostra, has lately been shot in 



