Copy of a letter received by the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, from John Hunter, 5 August 1798 (Series 38.11) - No. 0003

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     An Amphibious Animal of the Mole kind - found in these fresh water Lakes, its size is about that of a small Cat, or larger, very considerably than the Land Mole; it inhabits the Banks of these Lakes, it has exactly the Bill of a Duck, & probably feeds in muddy  places in the same way, its Eyes are very small, it has four legs & they are short, the fore ones from the Claws being shorter than those of the hind, & the Web of them spreading considerably beyond, is evidently their principal assistance in swimming - the hind Legs are also webd but the Claws are long & sharp, they are frequently seen on the surface of the Water, upon which they rise & blow like a Turtle, their Tail is thick short & very fat - The Natives say they sometimes see them of a very large size.                        J. Hunter.