4,36 Mr. Home's Observations, &c. 



this specimen had been destroyed. In the duck, the orifice 

 leading to the ear is very large, when compared with the open- 

 ing in this animal. 



When we consider the peculiarities in the structure of the 

 nose of this animal, which lives in water, it is natural to con- 

 clude the organ is fitted to smell in water, and the external 

 nostrils are so placed, to enable it to discover its prey by the 

 smell; for that purpose, the animal can apply its nose, with great 

 ease, to the small recesses in which its prey may be concealed. 



The structure of the beak is not such as enables it to take a 

 firm hold ; but, when the marginal lips are brought together, 

 the animal will have a considerable power of suction, and in 

 that way may draw its prey into its mouth. 



EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES. 



Plate XVIII. 



Fig. 1. A view of the beak, to show the situation of the 

 openings of the external nostrils, marked a a. 



Fig. 2. Another view of the beak, exposing the under portion. 



Fig. 3. A lateral view, to show the opening of the lips, and 

 the situation of the eye and ear. a. The eye. b. The ear. 



Plate XIX. 



Fig. 1. A view of the upper jaw and palate, to shew the teeth 

 in their situation. 



Fig. 2. A similar view of the under jaw. 



Fig. 3. The bones which form the beak delineated, and the 

 soft surrounding parts only marked in outline. 



Fig. 4. A similar view of the bones forming the lower 

 portion of the beak. 



