100 AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGY. 
and also on the right, the burrow still continuing to the left. On 
excavating 10 feet more a chamber was found measuring 18 in. 
long, 10 high and 8 broad, which contained a nest, formed of dried 
grass, reeds and gum leaves, evidently from their blackened appear- 
ance, taken from under the water. In the nest were two young 
platypi, about a month old; they were rolled up like a ball, with 
the tail lying flat on the beak. They were very fat and plump, but 
without fur, of a greyish colour, and had a velvety appearance when 
the sun was shining upon them; their eyes were not fully opened ; 
the mother was not with them. The two chambers on the right 
bore indications of having been occupied, but they did not appear 
to have been used as a nest, as no signs of grass of any description 
were found in them. In the following Nov. other burrows, near the 
same stream, were opened, but only one was found which had a 
recess on the left, but it had also two on the right. 
Food.—Small water insects, shrimps, larve, vegetable par- 
ticles, very small shell-fish, beetles, which, in Tasmania, have a 
hard, black epidermis; these are comminuted and mingled with 
some mud or gravel. The young are suckled at first, but when 
strong enough they are fed with insects mingled with mud. 
Where found —The platypus is found in New South Wales, 
Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and in Queensland, south of 
the eighteenth parallel of latitude. In New South Wales it is 
common in the streams and rivers flowing from the mountain ranges 
to the sea, as well as in those descending towards the interior. It 
used to be plentiful in the Hawkesbury and the Hunter. At one 
time it was abundant in the Yass river, in the tranquil parts called 
ponds ; so also in the Nepean, where several were captured in nets 
fixed for that purpose. 
Uses.—This animal, when stuffed and properly mounted, is in 
itself an ornament. In the British Museum, London, there are 
specimens from the Namoi and the Shoalhaven, in New South Wales ; 
from Coranderrk, the aboriginal station, Victoria; from South 
Australia, and from New Norfolk, Tasmania. Its skin is used for 
making slippers, pouches, &c. In some districts the young are 
eaten by the natives. 
How captured by the blacks.—They sit upon the banks of rivers 
armed with small wooden spears and watch these animals every 
time they rise to the surface, till they get an opportunity of striking 
them. If the platypus does not come in the direction of the 
aboriginal, the latter noiselessly advances when it is below the 
water. Governor Hunter saw a native watch one for above an hour 
before he attempted to spear it, which he did through the neck and 
fore leg. 
Does the platypus lay eggs ?—This question puzzled Mr. Gould 
and Dr. Bennett, although they both spent some time in the inves- 
tigation of its habits in its native haunts. Evidence was sought by 
both from the blacks, but, as they generally answer so as to please 
the interrogator, nothing reliable was obtained from them. Thus 
the Yass natives at first asserted that this animal lays eggs, but 
