some times in the manner of that of the chameleon, and at others, in that in which a mower uses his scythe, the tongue being curved laterally, and the food, as it were, swept into the mouth; there
seemed to be an adhesive substance on the tongue, by which the food was drawn in. The animal
died suddenly, off Cape Horn, while the vessel was amidst the ice; perhaps in consequence of
the cold, but not improbably on account of the egos, with which it was fed, being extremely bad.
This individual was captured on the Blue Mountains; it is become uncommon in the inhabited parts of New South Wales. Mr. Bennett states, that it inhabits the mountain ranges of Australia; and that it brings forth its young in December. It is believed to be nocturnal in its habits. Its flesh is eaten by the natives, and is said to resemble in flavour that of sucking-pig:
Genus Ornithorhynchus. (Blum.)
The impression which would be produced by the sight of this most singular of all quadrupeds, on one who had never heard of it, would be, that the beak of a shoveller-duck had been artificially fastened on the front of the head of a small otter. The beak is flat, broader at the tip than at the base, and covered by a thick leathery skin; between the base and the head, this skin projects in the form of a loose flap from each mandible, which probably serves to protect the eyes from the mud, in which the animal is perpetually dabbling, in search of food. The skin on the sides of the lower mandible is indented with numerous
