NEW SPECIES OF ORNITHORYNCHUS. 129 
approximate, with an inner membranous rim. Claws of 
fore-feet straight, slightly recurvate, long, subdepressed, 
rounded at the end ; membrane longer than the claws by- 
half an inch ; claws of hind-feet terminal, compressed, 
sharpish, acute at the edges, obliquely curved, the outer 
outwards, the rest inwards. The spur curved, conical, 
strong, bluntish, with the orifice almost terminal, and on 
the convex side of the curve. Tail broadly spatulate. 
Hair consisting of two kinds, tlie one very soft, fine and 
thick, and of moderate length ; the other, which forms the 
surface of the pile, longer, and in quality as follows. On 
the upper part of the head, very fine until at the extremity, 
where it is much enlarged and flattened, so as to present a 
surface of stiffish, compact, hard pile; longer around the 
margin of the beak, and but slightly enlarged at the end. 
Along the back it is very fine, excepting at the end, where 
it is enlarged and flattened, and acuminate, the tip curved 
backwards; on the sides longer, the flattened part elon- 
gated, acuminate and more curved, so as to feel rough. 
The middle of the throat, and two longitudinal bands on 
the breast and belly, without any of this second sort of hair. 
On the legs and feet it is very short, entirely flattened and 
blunted, and compressed. On the upper part of the tail, 
the fine hairs are very short, curled and ravelled ; the 
otliers longish, enlarged from the commencement, bent 
about the middle at an open angle, and blended and mat- 
ted together in all directions, being very stiffs and harsh to 
the feel. Under surface of tail rubbed bare, excepting at 
the margin, where the hairs are flat and stifl*, and worn 
short. 
Beaks and webs dark-brown, claws paler. The fine hair 
is greyish-blue on the upper parts, bluish-grey tinged with 
yellow on the lower, excepting from the root of the tail to 
the middle of the breast, where it is pale-chesnut. Except- 
VOL. VI. I 
