. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. MO NOT RE MA TV THE ORNITHORHYNCUS. 129 had arrived, and had been submitted to most careful ex- amination, that naturalists were satisfied of the n al exist-. Ornithorhyncus [from the Greek, ornithos, a bird, and rugchos, a beak.] ence of such an animal. Since that period, its true place in the scale, depending upon the mode in which it pro- duces and nourishes its young, has been a most fertile source of controversy; but the question may now be re- garded as set at rest by the inquiries of Mr. Owen, already al
. Elements of zoology, or, Natural history of animals / ed. by Reese. Zoology. MO NOT RE MA TV THE ORNITHORHYNCUS. 129 had arrived, and had been submitted to most careful ex- amination, that naturalists were satisfied of the n al exist-. Ornithorhyncus [from the Greek, ornithos, a bird, and rugchos, a beak.] ence of such an animal. Since that period, its true place in the scale, depending upon the mode in which it pro- duces and nourishes its young, has been a most fertile source of controversy; but the question may now be re- garded as set at rest by the inquiries of Mr. Owen, already alluded to. 174. The muzzle of the ornithorhyncus, as already stated, b ars a ciose resemblance in form to the bill of a duck. The jaws contain no true teeth ; but there are two pairs of horny ridges on each side, which may be con- sidered as representing them. The fore feet are furnished with a membranous web, which ngt only connects the toes, but extends beyond the claws. The under surface or palm of this is concave, so that it can strike the water wiih great effect; but when the animal burrows, it falls buck behind the claws. The hind feet are directed back- wards when the animal is swimming, and somewhat resem- ble a fin ; the membranous web does not extend on them, however, beyond the roots of the claws. The tail is broad and flat. The body is covered with two kinds of hair, like those found in the seal and the otter; the one fine, 828. Describe ihe other variety. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Reese, David Meredith, 1800-1861. New York : A. S. Barnes
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