while its heart palpitated violently with fear and anxiety."
The female thus taken from the burrow was placed in a cask with water, mud, and grass, where it soon became tranquil, and reconciled to its captivity. The next morning, tying a long cord to its leg, Mr. Bennett roused it, and placed it on the bank of the river in order to indulge it with a bathe; and a similar indulgence was granted to it on the next day. On these occasions "it was exceedingly lively, swam in the centre of the stream, and appeared in excellent health and spirits. The water at one part of the river being very clear, I saw its motions distinctly under the water. On diving it sank speedily to the bottom, swam there for a short distance, and then rose again to the surface; it ranged the banks, guiding itself in its progress according to the impressions received by the mandibles, which appeared to me to be used as very delicate organs of touch. It seemed to feed well; for whenever it inserted its beak into the mud it evidently procured some food from thence, as on raising the head, after withdrawing the beak, the mandibles were seen in lateral motion, as is usual when the animal masticates. Although several insects were basking and fluttering about the surface, close to it, no attempt was made to capture them .... After feeding it would lie sometimes on the grassy bank, and at others partly in and partly out of the water, combing and cleaning its coat, as usual, with the claws of the hind-feet. After permitting it to swim, feed, and clean itself for an hour, it was replaced, although with great reluctance on its own part, in its box; it did not, however, as before, betake itself to repose, but
