The Native Cats.
The animals common in Tasmania and throughout the greater portion of the Australian Continent, and familiarly known asSpottedorNative Cats, and to zoologists asDasyures, enjoy also an unenviable reputation for their depredations among the settlers' hen-roosts. To look at, these native cats are the most mild-mannered and inoffensive of creatures. Actually, however, they possess the most bloodthirsty proclivities, and may be aptly compared in their habits to the stoats, weasels, polecats, and other Old World carnivora. There are some five known species, the largest being equal to an ordinary cat in size, and the smaller ones about half these dimensions. All of them are distinguished by their spotted pattern of ornamentation, such spots being white or nearly so, and more or less abundantly sprinkled over a darker background which varies from light grey to chocolate-brown. In the commonest form, represented in the accompanying photograph, the ears and the under surface of the body are also often white. No two individuals, however, are to be found precisely alike in the pattern of their markings. The dasyures differ from the two preceding types, the Tasmanian wolf and the devil, in being essentially arboreal in their habits, living by day and breeding, as the majority of the Australian opossums, in the hollow gum-tree trunks, from which they emerge at nightfall to seek their food. This, in their native state, when hen-roosts are not accessible, consists mainly of birds and such smaller marsupial forms as they can readily overpower.
SPOTTED DASYURES, OR AUSTRALIAN NATIVE CATS.By permission of S. Sinclair, Esq.][Sydney.SPOTTED DASYURES, OR AUSTRALIAN NATIVE CATS.This species is rather smaller than an ordinary-sized cat. All the dasyures are arboreal in their habits, and very destructive to birds.
By permission of S. Sinclair, Esq.][Sydney.SPOTTED DASYURES, OR AUSTRALIAN NATIVE CATS.This species is rather smaller than an ordinary-sized cat. All the dasyures are arboreal in their habits, and very destructive to birds.
By permission of S. Sinclair, Esq.][Sydney.
SPOTTED DASYURES, OR AUSTRALIAN NATIVE CATS.
This species is rather smaller than an ordinary-sized cat. All the dasyures are arboreal in their habits, and very destructive to birds.
The Pouched Mice.
The so-calledPouched Micerepresent a group of smaller-sized carnivorous mammals which have much in common with the dasyures, but are devoid of their spotted ornamentation. None of them exceed a rat in size. They number about twelve or fourteen known species, and are distributed throughout the greater part of Australia and New Guinea, and extend thence to the Aru Islands. They are said not to occur in the extreme north of the Australian Continent. The writer, however, obtained an example of the brush-tailed species,here illustrated, from the neighbourhood of Broome, in the farthest north or Kimberley district of Western Australia. This specimen, which was caught alive in a rat-trap, exhibited astonishingly potent gnawing powers, almost succeeding one night in eating its way through the wooden box in which it was temporarily confined. The habits of this species are omnivorous, and chiefly akin to those of the ordinary rats, it being accustomed to prowl round the out-buildings at night, picking up any unconsidered trifles in the way of food that may be left unprotected.
BRUSH-TAILED POUCHED MOUSE, OR PHASCOGALE.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.BRUSH-TAILED POUCHED MOUSE, OR PHASCOGALE.A slender and graceful animal, the largest of the thirteen known species, and about the size of an ordinary rat.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.BRUSH-TAILED POUCHED MOUSE, OR PHASCOGALE.A slender and graceful animal, the largest of the thirteen known species, and about the size of an ordinary rat.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
BRUSH-TAILED POUCHED MOUSE, OR PHASCOGALE.
A slender and graceful animal, the largest of the thirteen known species, and about the size of an ordinary rat.
Many of the smaller members of this tribe are no larger than mice; and in one form, known as theJerboa Pouched Mouse, inhabiting Queensland and New South Wales, the hind limbs are abnormally prolonged, and the animal progresses by leaps and bounds, after the fashion of the true jerboas, or its nearer relatives, the ordinary kangaroos and rat-kangaroos.
The Banded Ant-Eater.
One of the most interesting from the zoologist's standpoint, and the last on our list of the Australian marsupials, is the little creature, limited in its habitat to Western Australia, locally known as theSquirrel. TheBanded Ant-eater, with reference to its striped ornamentation and ant-eating habits, is the name by which it is usually chronicled in natural history works. In size and shape, except for its more pointed snout, its squirrel-like aspect is certainly somewhat striking. Like the true ant-eaters of the Edentate Mammalian Order, it, however, possesses a long protrusile tongue, with which it is accustomed in a similar manner to lick up the ants which constitute its main food-supply.
The most interesting biological peculiarity of this animal is the abnormal development of its teeth. These number as many as from fifty-two to fifty-six, and exceed the dental formula of any other known existing marsupial. The usual colour of this interesting little animal is a warm chestnut-brown, banded transversely over the back with white, these stripes being widest and most conspicuous over the hindquarters. This somewhat paradoxical marsupial possesses no pouch, the young, when first born and attached to the nipples in the manner characteristic of ordinary marsupials, being covered over and concealed among the longer hairs that clothe the abdominal region. In the dasyures, or native cats, previously described, the pouch exists only in a rudimentary condition, its function being fulfilled by merely a few skin-folds; while in the "tiger" and native devil the pouch, contrary to that of the kangaroos, opens backwards.
In disposition the banded ant-eater presents a marked contrast to that of many of the preceding types. Caught in its native habitat, it does not attempt to bite, and soon becomes reconciled to captivity. The peculiar nature of its diet, however, militates against its being easily transported over-sea from the Antipodes.
The American Opossums.
The little group of the American marsupials contains some three or four generically distinct types whose relationship with the Australian members of the order is in the direction of the dasyures and bandicoots rather than with the kangaroos and phalangers. Included in one family, they are popularly known as Opossums, but differ among themselves very considerably both in aspect and habits. The most remarkable among them is undoubtedly the so-calledYapock, orWater-opossum, an inhabitant of South America, and ranging in its distribution from Guatemala to Brazil. In both form and habits this animal so closely resembles an otter that it was referred by the earlier naturalists to the Otter Tribe. It tunnels holes in the banks of the rivers it frequents, and feeds entirely upon fish, crustacea, and aquatic insects. The feet, and more especially the hind ones, are distinctly webbed; the tail is naked, scaly, and non-prehensile; and the fur is short and thick, as in the ordinary otters. The ground-tint of the fur is a light grey: this is diversified by a black or dark brown stripe that runs down the centre of the back, and expands over the shoulders, loins, and hindquarters into saddle-shaped patches or bands of the same dark hue.
BANDED ANT-EATER.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.BANDED ANT-EATER.From an anatomical point of view, this is one of the most remarkable of the pouched mammals.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.BANDED ANT-EATER.From an anatomical point of view, this is one of the most remarkable of the pouched mammals.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
BANDED ANT-EATER.
From an anatomical point of view, this is one of the most remarkable of the pouched mammals.
TheCommonorVirginian Opossum, while the only representative of the Marsupial Order found in the temperate latitudes of the North American Continent, has a very considerable range of distribution, occurring in equal abundance throughout the tropical regions of South America. In these warmer latitudes it differs to such an extent in the character of its fur and other minor points that it was for some time regarded as a distinct species, and was distinguished by the title of theCrab-eating Opossum. Biologists are, however, now agreed that the supposed species is only a local variety. As a matter of fact, a very considerable amount of variation in the colour and markings is found to exist among the individuals of the most familiarly known northern race. In form the animal may be suitably compared to a huge rat, nearly equalling a cat in size, with an abnormally large head and pointed snout. The tail is long, almost naked for the greater portion of its length, and pre-eminently prehensile. The fur is of a mixed character, consisting of an undergrowth of a fine, close, woolly texture, through which protrudes a less dense series of long bristle-like hairs. The colour of the fur ranges from black to white, and includes all varieties of intermixture. The face, more especially in the northern race, is usually much the lightest or altogether white, while in the tropical South American examples it is more often darker, or it may be completely black.
The opossum, like the rat, is an omnivorous feeder; and being of so much larger size, and possessing an insatiable appetite, constitutes itself a veritable pest to the fruit-grower, the agriculturist, and the poultry-farmer. In effecting its entrance to hen-roosts or other food-yielding enclosures, it exhibits an amount of cunning and pertinacity possessed by no other mammal. Caught red-handed in these depredations, it has recourse to stratagems which have won for it a reputation that has long since passed into a household word. Feigning death, or "playing 'possum," is a game at which it is well known to be a past-master, but bywhich it still frequently succeeds in hoodwinking the unwary, and so saves its skin. Discovered thieving, and receiving perhaps a haphazard but by no means disabling blow, it at once collapses, and with film-covered eyes and protruding tongue is to all intents and purposes dead. It may be kicked round the premises, and finally probably taken up by the tail and flung ignominiously outside, without betraying vitality by even so much as a wink. But no sooner is the coast thoroughly clear of the avenger than the stiffened limbs relax, the eyes reopen, and Brer 'Possum trots off, as fresh as ever. Maybe it is the ripening maize or the persimmon-patch that next engages his attention, and in either case he walks in and feeds right royally, laying up a goodly store of fat against the approaching winter months of scarcity.
YAPOCK, OR WATER-OPOSSUM.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.YAPOCK, OR WATER-OPOSSUM.In habits, although not in size and colour, this marsupial may be compared to a wolf.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.YAPOCK, OR WATER-OPOSSUM.In habits, although not in size and colour, this marsupial may be compared to a wolf.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
YAPOCK, OR WATER-OPOSSUM.
In habits, although not in size and colour, this marsupial may be compared to a wolf.
Away from human habitations the opossum is an essentially arboreal animal, living and breeding for the most part, like his Australian cousins, in hollow trees, and making excursions therefrom in all directions in quest of food. His much-mixed natural diet may consist of tender shoots and leaves, and the wild grapes and the many other berries and fruits the forest produces. He craves, however, after a due admixture of animal pabulum, and birds and their eggs, insects, lizards, and the smaller mammals furnish their quota to his menu. Crustacea, such as crabs and the crayfish which abound in the American streams and marshes, have an irresistible attraction for him; and it is on this account that, in the southern area of his distribution, where these crustacea are so plentiful as to constitute his main diet, and his face is browned by the more glowing sun, he is known by the title of the Crab-eater.
Although fattening up against the winter, he, even in his most northern limits, does not hibernate, but may even be seen leisurely picking his way over the snow, probably tracking some unfortunate squirrel to its lair, which in due time is located, dragged out, and devoured. While assimilating his meal of flesh or fruit, Brer 'Possum likes to have all four hands at liberty, his hind feet being also graspers; and so he twists his tail round a convenient branch, and, hangingperdu, leisurely enjoys his feast. The opossum, like the rat—to which it has in aspect and many of its habits been likened—is a most prolific breeder, as many as from six to sixteen young being comprised in the litter. When born, they are immediately transferred to the somewhat capacious pouch, and remain there without venturing outside until they are about the size of an ordinary mouse.
A third and very distinct type of American opossums is the one represented onpage 380, which, from its mouse-like size and aspect, is commonly known as theMurine Opossum. The most distinct feature of this little animal is that, though a genuine marsupial, it has no pouch, but carries its young on its back, the little creatures twining their tails round that of their mother, and so securing a stable anchorage. Although thus loaded up and transformed for the time being into a sort of combination perambulator and feeding-flask, the happy but anxious parent pursues the even tenor of her way among the tree-branches and thicket-growths with almost unabated agility. This species, in common withMeriam's Opossumand theWoolly Opossumand several others which carry their young, to as many as a dozenin number, on their backs, are denizens of tropical South America. One of these, named thePhilander Opossum, attains to the somewhat larger size of about 2 feet in total length, the long prehensile tail representing, however, the greater moiety of these dimensions.
The Selva.
South America has one other marsupial—theSelva—an animal which, while possessing the dimensions and much of the aspect of an ordinary rat, is remarkable as differing so materially in the character of its teeth and other structural points that it cannot be referred to any existing marsupial family. On the other hand, this type is found to coincide in the above particulars with species hitherto only known in the fossil state, and excavated from the same tertiary deposits in Patagonia which have been productive of the distant ally of the Tasmanian wolf. It is yet hoped by zoologists that the discovery of other interesting and possibly some supposed extinct mammals may reward the thorough exploration of the vast South American forests. The capture in the flesh of some form allied to the huge ground-sloths, such as the Mylodon and Megatherium, is, however, now considered to be quite beyond the pale of possibility.
YOUNG OPOSSUM (NATURAL SIZE).Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.YOUNG OPOSSUM (NATURAL SIZE).This is an interesting photograph, as it is reproduced life-size, and gives an excellent idea of the animal in its native land.
Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.YOUNG OPOSSUM (NATURAL SIZE).This is an interesting photograph, as it is reproduced life-size, and gives an excellent idea of the animal in its native land.
Photo by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt][Washington.
YOUNG OPOSSUM (NATURAL SIZE).
This is an interesting photograph, as it is reproduced life-size, and gives an excellent idea of the animal in its native land.
MONOTREMES, OR EGG-LAYING MAMMALS.
With this group or order of the Mammalian Class we arrive, as it were, on the borderland between the mere typical Mammals and Reptiles. In the last group, that of the Marsupials, it was observed that the young were brought into the world at an abnormally early and helpless phase of their existence, and usually consigned, until able to see and walk, to a variously modified protective pouch. With the Monotremes a yet lower rung in the evolutional ladder is reached, and we find that the young are brought into the outer world as eggs, these being in the one case deposited in a nest or burrow, and in the other carried about by the parent in a rudimentary sort of pouch until they are hatched.
WOOLLY AMERICAN OPOSSUM.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.WOOLLY AMERICAN OPOSSUM.This animal is about the size of a large mouse. It carries its young on its back, their tails being entwined round that of their parent.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.WOOLLY AMERICAN OPOSSUM.This animal is about the size of a large mouse. It carries its young on its back, their tails being entwined round that of their parent.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
WOOLLY AMERICAN OPOSSUM.
This animal is about the size of a large mouse. It carries its young on its back, their tails being entwined round that of their parent.
The living representatives of this singular mammalian order are but few in number, being restricted, in point of fact, to only two distinctly differentiated family types—the Echidna or Porcupine Ant-eater, and the Platypus. These monotremes, moreover, like the majority of the existing marsupials, are limited in their distribution to the Australasian region. The single species of the Platypus is only found in Tasmania and the southern and eastern districts of the Australian Continent, while the Echidna numbers some three recognised species, two of which belong to Australia and Tasmania and the third to New Guinea.
The Echidna.
TheEchidna,Porcupine Ant-eater, or "Porcupine," as it is commonly called by the Australian colonists, would seem at first sight to represent an animal in which the characters of the hedgehog and the common porcupine are interblended, the innumerable spines being longer than those of the former, but less in length than those of the last-named animal. The head, with no externally visible ears and remarkable elongated beak-like snout, however, at once proclaims it to be altogether distinct from these. The animal has no teeth, and the tiny mouth at the termination of the beak-like snout simply constitutes an aperture for the extrusion of the worm-like glutinous tongue, wherewith, after the manner of the true ant-eaters, it licks up the inhabitants of the ants' nests upon which it feeds. For tearing down the ants' nests and obtaining its customary food, as also for its inveterate burrowing propensity, the feet, and more especially the front ones, are provided with strong, blunt, and very powerful claws. The male animal is in addition armed on the hind feet with a peculiar supplementary spur, which is, however, still more conspicuously developed in the platypus.
Three distinct species of the echidna are recognised by zoologists. The one peculiar to the cooler climate of Tasmania is remarkable for its more slender spines, the much greater abundance of the long bristle-like hairs, and the thickness of the seal-brown under-fur, as compared with the typical Australian form. In North-west New Guinea the largest and most aberrant form is met with. Normally it has only three toes in place of five to each foot, the spines are very long and thick, the body is deeper and more compressed, and the animal stands comparatively high upon its feet.
The writer, during his residence in Tasmania, had several examples of the local species as domestic pets. For the first few days they were very shy and untractable, burrowing into the earth and seeking to escape, or presenting an impenetrablecheval de friseof sharp-pointed spines to the hands that sought to caress them. After a short interval, however, the creatures became entirely reconciled to human society and the small amount of restraint to which they were subjected. They would follow their owner about the garden, or, flattening their bodies and spreading out their limbs to the greatest extent, lie basking in the sun close to where he might be seated. They also apparently appreciated being carried, slung across their owner's arm after the manner of a lap-dog. Living in the near vicinity of unreclaimed bush-land, it was found possible to keep these echidnas well supplied with their customary food; they were, in fact, permitted to forage on their own account. Liberated amidst their normal surroundings, they would walk leisurely from one ant-hill to another, tearing down the side of it with their powerful front claws, and appropriating its living contents with the greatest relish. It was observed, however, in this connection that the echidna paid attention entirely to the succulent white larvæ and pupal phases of the insects with which the inner chambers of the ant-hills are customarily crowded, and that adult ants, as they abounded in the tracts near at hand or elsewhere, were altogether neglected. In addition to this natural food these animals were supplied daily with a saucer of either well-softened bread or porridge and milk, for which they evinced a decided appreciation, assimilating this food dexterously, though somewhat slowly, with the aid of their long protrusile tongues. Allowed to wander about the house, they displayed a most inquisitive turn of mind, peering into every crevice, and climbing upon every accessible article of furniture.
The echidna usually produces only one egg at a time; it is relatively small, not larger than a sparrow's egg, but equally and obtusely rounded at both extremities, and with a white leathery shell like that of a reptile. For some time previous to hatching, this egg is carried in a skin-fold or rudimentary pouch in the parent's abdomen, much similar to that possessed by many of the marsupials. The young one is also retained in this pouch for some weeks after escaping from the egg. When finally leaving the pouch, it is between three and four inches in length, and the spines are in an altogether rudimentary condition.
Examples of the Australian echidna have on several occasions been "in residence" at the Zoo; while the Hon. Walter Rothschild has been fortunate in keeping living specimens of both this and the very rare three-toed New Guinea variety in his admirably appointed menagerie at Tring.
COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.The only marsupial animal found north of Mexico.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.The only marsupial animal found north of Mexico.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.
The only marsupial animal found north of Mexico.
The Platypus.
The egg-laying mammal known as theDuck-billed Platypusdiffers very essentially from the echidna both in aspect and habits. It is adapted especially for an amphibious life, and for feeding on molluscs, worms, and insects, which it abstracts from the muddy bed or banks of the rivers that it frequents. The somewhat depressed ovate body is covered with short dense fur much resembling in colour and texture that of an otter. The tail is short and flattened like that of a beaver, but in place of being naked and scaly, as in that animal, is covered, on the upper surface moreparticularly, with long, coarse, bristle-like hairs that intercross one another in all directions. Neither is this tail used, as with the beaver, as a mason's trowel, it being simply subservient as a steer-oar. The feet are all four distinctly webbed, the membranes of the front feet in particular projecting to some distance beyond the extremities of the claws, and so communicating to these members a singular resemblance to the feet of a duck. The head of the platypus tapers off from the body without any conspicuous neck, and terminates in a most remarkable duck-like beak, having at its base a supplementary membranous ferrule-like structure which would seem to serve the purpose of limiting the distance into which the beak of the animal is thrust into the mud during the quest for its accustomed food, and at the same time protecting the creature's eyes. The mouth of the adult platypus contains no teeth, simply a few horny plates; but, singularly to relate, rudimentary teeth exist temporarily in the young animals. These provisional teeth, moreover, correspond in a marked manner with those of some ancient types of mammals which occur as fossils in the tertiary deposits of North America. The platypus, with relation to the obliteration of its teeth in the adult state, is regarded as a very exceptionally modified form and not as the immediate prototype of the ordinary mammals.
The platypus is found in Tasmania and in the south and eastern districts of Australia only, being altogether unknown in the west and north. Being especially shy and retiring, and to a large extent nocturnal in its habits, it is not frequently seen even in districts where it may be rather abundant. The animal excavates burrows of so great a length as from thirty to fifty feet in the river-banks that it frequents, and at the extreme end of these burrows it constructs a loose nest of weeds and root-fibres, which it uses as its retreat, and also for the production of its eggs and young. There are invariably two entrances to these burrows, the one being under water, and the other usually opening into a tangle of brushwood at some little distance from the water's edge. As many as from one to four eggs and young may be produced at a time, but two is the more general number. From the first it would appear that the eggs and young are deposited and nursed in the nest, not being retained or carried about in a pouch, as observed of the echidna.
ECHIDNA, OR ANT-EATING PORCUPINE.Photo by D. Le Souef][Melbourne.ECHIDNA, OR ANT-EATING PORCUPINE.The female echidna can carry two eggs in her pouch, which in due course are hatched by the heat of her body.
Photo by D. Le Souef][Melbourne.ECHIDNA, OR ANT-EATING PORCUPINE.The female echidna can carry two eggs in her pouch, which in due course are hatched by the heat of her body.
Photo by D. Le Souef][Melbourne.
ECHIDNA, OR ANT-EATING PORCUPINE.
The female echidna can carry two eggs in her pouch, which in due course are hatched by the heat of her body.
The late Dr. George Bennett, of Sydney, New South Wales, has probably placed on record the most detailed account of the ways and life-habits of these remarkable animals, though it did not fall to him to solve the much-vexed question as to whether or not they were oviparous. This discovery, as applied also to the like phenomenon in the case of the echidna, was the outcome within quite recent years of the researches of Mr. Caldwell. After much indefatigable exploration, in which he was ably assisted by the natives, Dr. Bennett obtained from the extremity of an exceptionally long burrow a mother and pair of half-grown young. The young ones survived several weeks, and proved most droll and interesting pets. In playful habits they much resembled puppies, chasing and rolling one another over, and pretending to bite with their toothless bills. They were also much addicted to climbing every scalable article of furniture, including even a tall book-case, which they would negotiate by "swarming" up behind it as a sweep climbs a chimney, with their backs to the wall and their feet against the back of the book-case. The sleeping and waking hoursthat both these and other examples kept were observed to be very irregular; for while usually most lively and disposed to ramble after it grew dusk, they would at other times come out of their own accord in the daytime, or perhaps one would ramble about while the other slept. When going to sleep, they would roll themselves up in a perfect ball, the head, tail, and limbs being closely folded over the abdomen.
TASMANIAN ECHIDNA, OR PORCUPINE ANT-EATER.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.TASMANIAN ECHIDNA, OR PORCUPINE ANT-EATER.This is the largest variety of the five-toed species; it grows to a length of 20 inches, and has the fur so long as almost to conceal the spines.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.TASMANIAN ECHIDNA, OR PORCUPINE ANT-EATER.This is the largest variety of the five-toed species; it grows to a length of 20 inches, and has the fur so long as almost to conceal the spines.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
TASMANIAN ECHIDNA, OR PORCUPINE ANT-EATER.
This is the largest variety of the five-toed species; it grows to a length of 20 inches, and has the fur so long as almost to conceal the spines.
The food question appears to have presented almost insurmountable difficulties so far against the permanent acclimatisation of these interesting animals in any of our European zoological gardens. At the Melbourne Zoo some considerable success was obtained by fencing off a small pond abounding with insects and well-established water-plants for their reception, and in this instance they had also the advantage of being brought speedily and within a few hours of their capture to their new home. For their long voyage to Europe the provision of an adequate quantity of living insects or other aquatic organisms is a by no means easy task. They have, however, been known to thrive on broken-up river-mussels for the space of two or three weeks, and would probably have done so for a longer period. This material might easily be stored for their use on board ship.
An incident concerning the natural predilections of the platypus that fell within the writer's observation in Tasmania might also be utilised in their experimental transportation. At the trout- and salmon-rearing establishment on the river Plenty—of which the writer was at the time superintendent—the platypuses proved to be most destructive to the spawn both deposited in the hatching-boxes and upon the natural spawning-beds, or "redds," and they had in consequence to be systematically destroyed. This being the case, it is probable that they would be found to thrive well on a diet consisting to a large extent of the preserved roes or spawn of any easily procurable fish—such as the Murray perch and cod—and of which adequate supplies might with facility be stored aboard ship. The admixture in all cases of a certain amount of sand or mud with their provided pabulum would appear to be essential for digestive purposes, such material being always found in considerable quantities in their stomachs when dissected.
A distinguishing feature which the male platypus shares in common with the echidna is the peculiar spur developed on its hind foot. It is in this case, however, much larger and sharper, and has been accredited with aggressive functions and poisonous properties. There can be little doubt, however, that they are normally used by the animal only as clasping or retaining instruments during intercourse with the female at the breeding-season. At the same time, undoubted cases of persons receiving severe wounds from these animals' spurs have been placed on record. One such that fell within the writer's cognisance happened on the Murray River, on the Victorian and New South Wales boundary. A young fisher-lad, on taking up his nets, found a half-drowned platypus entangled in them, and, whilst disengaging it, it convulsively gripped his hand between the two spurs, the points penetrating deeply into the flesh on either side. The result was a festering wound that refused to heal for many months, and for such time entirely deprived the lad of his use of that hand.
DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS.Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS.This curious egg-laying mammal, the only representative of its family, is mainly nocturnal in habits.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS.This curious egg-laying mammal, the only representative of its family, is mainly nocturnal in habits.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.][Milford-on-Sea.
DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS.
This curious egg-laying mammal, the only representative of its family, is mainly nocturnal in habits.
The fur of the platypus, dressed so as to remove the outer and longer series of hairs, nearly resembles that of the fur-seal in both colour and texture, and as a rare local product is highly prized for the manufacture of carriage-rugs and other articles.
With the egg-laying Echidna and Platypus we terminate the Mammalian Series, and they pave the way to the typical egg-laying animals which follow.
End of Vol. I.
Note
[1]Since this was in type, Sir Harry Johnston has reported the existence in the Congo forest, on the borders of Uganda, of a large unknown type of ruminant, the Akapi of the natives.
Since this was in type, Sir Harry Johnston has reported the existence in the Congo forest, on the borders of Uganda, of a large unknown type of ruminant, the Akapi of the natives.