We lost not a moment's time, but immediately
proceeded quickly along the mole, which we had all to ourselves; the
terrified coffin-bearers had no doubt spread the alarm, for as we
approached every post was in its turn abandoned; the alarmed sentinels
throwing down their weapons, and flying before us; and I took care not
to neglect the opportunity of arming myself against need, with a good
sabre.
* * * * *
THE NATURALIST.
* * * * *
THE ORNITHORHYNCUS PARADOXUS.
The following interesting fact in natural history was communicated by
Dr. Weatherhead, to the committee of science of the Zoological Society,
at their last meeting.
For the last five-and-twenty years naturalists in Europe have
been striving to obtain the carcass of the impregnated female
_Ornithorhynchus paradoxus_, for the purpose of ascertaining its mode
of gestation, but without success; for it is by dissection alone that
the hitherto doubtful and disputed point concerning the anomalous
and paradoxical manner of bring forth and rearing its young can be
satisfactorily demonstrated.
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