Transcription

  256
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
 

female an uterus is formed similar to other small quadrupeds which accounts for the manner of producing its young.  In the Northern districts the Ornithoryncus [Ornithorhynchus]  Paradoxus is found in most of the rivers and creeks.
The ornithoryncus [ornithorhynchus]  burrows in the Sandy soil on the banks of the rivers or creeks where the deposits of eggs are found nearly on a level with the water - The nest is better than a foot in diameter, the entrance to which is by a hole under water - Fifteen eggs are found of about an inch in diameter, which are shelless, and covered with a white skin coating similar to that found under the shell of a hens egg. On removing which a colourless watery substance is found with the young Ornithoryncus. [ornithorhynchus] The eggs are not oval shaped but round like a ball.
In 1845 the nest of an Ornithoryncus [ornithorhynchus] was accidentally come upon at Yarrow Creek in New England by Dr Lisle who had dug about two feet and a half into the bank of the creek, the eggs fifteen in number were warm, and the nest hole very purposely made and secure.
The Ornithoryncus [ornithorhynchus] suckles its young, the female is furnished with six tits similar in appearance & size to Cats tits - This was observed by Mr Fletcher during his residence at Hillgrove on Guira [Gwyder?]  River near to Armadale in New England and while here Mr Fletcher had disected [dissected]  & preserved many of these curious animals -
The Ornithoryncus [ornithorhynchus] is only found in New Holland and in almost every river, Creek, or Standing water hole or pool in New South Wales, North and South Australia. This animal is destroyed for the sake of the skin which is prized according to Size & preservation, the largest sizes are found in the Condamine River in Burnett, Fitzroy, and Port Curtis country -
The native blacks cannot be induced to go into the water after this animal, they have a terror of the poison from the Claws & Spur of the ornithorynchus [ornithorhynchus] , will not attack it in the water.
The Ornithorhynchus [ ornithorhyncus] Paradoxus was first described about the Year 1799 by Shaw and Blumenbach.

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