latter having the fur softer, and of a redder tint than the former; and naturalists are not yet agreed, whether these are to be regarded as constituting differences of species, or but of varieties. We shall, therefore, speak of the Ornithorhynchus, without distinguishing.
Mr. Waterhouse has described some curious peculiarities in the structure of the fur. "The fur is short, very dense, and rather soft to the touch; and combines the properties usually found in that of an aquatic animal, and that of one whose habit is to burrow: it will readily expel both the water and the dust; it is composed of hairs of two kinds, the one forming a remarkably fine and dense fur, resembling that of the mole; the other hairs are longer, have the basal half fine like the under fur, but the apical, exposed half of each hair is dilated and flat, bent at an angle with the basal portion, and is very glossy, resembling the hairs of the seal. In these longer hairs, being thin at the base, bent near the middle, and expanded and stiff at the tip, we see a beautiful provision suited to the habits of the animal. When in the water, the flat points become closely applied together, and afford a waterproof covering to the fine under fur; and when in its under-ground galleries, their peculiar texture and bent form permits the animal to move either backwards or forwards without inconvenience, and without exposing the skin to the dirt.[1]
A full-grown Ornithorhynchus is about two feet in length, including the beak and the tail; of which the former measures two inches and a half,
- ↑ Nat. Lib. Marsupialia, 311.
