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MAMMALIA. 
which seem to be preserved the botanical and zoological types 
and creations belonging to very ancient periods of our globe. 
The Family of Ornithorhynchus. — The Ornithorhynchus 
(“ bird’s beak,” from opvig, a bird, and piyy^og, beak) is an animal 
organised for the aquatic life. Its feet have five toes, terminated 
by stout nails. The front feet are completely palmated or webbed, 
and the interdigital membrane is very highly developed, for it 
' Fig. 1. — Duckbill ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ). 
extends beyond the nails. The tail is broad, of middling length, 
and flattened on its lower surface, to facilitate swimming. The 
beak is flattened, and is not much unlike that of a Swan or Duck. 
Two great horny excrescences, placed on each jaw, supply the 
place of molars. Its coat is pretty thick, and is of a brown colour, 
more or less tinged with russet. 
In the males, the heels of the posterior members are each 
armed with a spur or dew claw, pierced with a hole at its extremity. 
