A PET PLATYPUS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 134, 8 June 1935, Page 24

A PET PLATYPUS

The first printed description of the duck-billed platypus, that most, extraordinary of all Australia's extraordinary creatures, appeared in 1799. No animal has given rise to so much controversy among both laymen and professed zoologists. The first specimens to reach Europe of this animal which lays eggs and has other characteristics which, scientifically speaking, are not to be expected, were considered by many as impostures. They reached England by vessels which had navigated the Indian seas, a circumstance in itself sufficient to rouse the suspicions of; the scientific naturalist, aware of the monstrous impostures which the artful Chinese had so frequently practised on European adventurers. So this rar<* production of Nature was for a time' classed with eastern mermaids and other works of art. But in course of tune the ornithorhynchus, to give it its proper name, became an accepted fact, although even to this day there is still some controversy about its anatomical peculiarities. These, however, do not worry the ordinary person: he or she is much more interested in the animal itself, its habits, and the probabilities of its e*arly extinction. Of interest to all, whether professed naturalist or otherwise, is "The Life and Habits of the Platypus," published by Stillwell and Stephens. Ltd., Melbourne. The author, Mr. Robert Eadie, is the curator of the Healesville Sanctuary, and the platy-^ pus which he has had there in captivity for the last two years has provided him with ample material for some most interesting observations. A number of excellent photographs of "Splash," his pet platypus, make the book a fascinating.record of interest to all, whether having had a personal acquaintance with the platypus or not.