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XVIII. Some Observations on the Head of the Ornithorhynchus 

 paradoxus. By Everard Home, Esq. F. R. S. 



Read July 3, 1800. 



1 he specimens of this extraordinary animal which have been 

 sent to Europe, have been deprived of the internal parts, and 

 the skins are mostly dried, and but badly preserved. Such im- 

 perfect specimens have raised the curiosity of the naturalist, and 

 excited the ardor of the anatomist, without satisfying their 

 enquiries. 



It was natural, under these circumstances, to reserve any ob- 

 servations which had been made upon this newly discovered 

 quadruped, till the entire animal should be brought home pre- 

 served in spirit, and enable us to examine the structure of its 

 different organs ; but, finding that Professor Blumenbach has 

 been led to believe that it was an animal without teeth, an 

 opinion which must have arisen from the imperfect state of the 

 specimen he examined, it appeared highly proper to do away 

 the mistake, and lay before this learned Society, such obser- 

 vations respecting the head of this extraordinary animal, as I 

 have been enabled to make. 



My opportunities of examining the Ornithorhynchus were pro- 

 cured through Sir Joseph Banks ; who permitted me to have 

 drawings made from the skin of one of a very large size, and 

 which, from having been preserved in spirit, was more perfect 

 than any of the dried specimens. 



Any general description of the beak of this animal, which is 

 its most conspicuous peculiarity, becomes unnecessary, as the 



