posted on 2023-11-22, 08:48authored byRobert Wilson Shufeldt
Attention was recently invited to the existence in the collections of the Army Medical Museum, of the Surgeon General's Office, at Washington, of the mounted skeletons of certain of the Monotremata; and as these curious mammals are now becoming extremely rare, a brief account of the specimens of them will probably prove of value to the comparative anatomists of the future, and of more or less interest to those of the present time. These skeletons consist of one of an Echidna, and two of the Duckbill Platypus or Ornithorhynchus. On the Echidna skeleton the label reads:—''2496 Comp. Anat. Ser.—Spiny ant-eater; echidna aculeata or hystrix. From New South Wales. The jaws are without teeth; roof of mouth and tongue covered with horny spines." This is apparently an adult specimen, prepared and mounted by the Wards of Rochester, and in perfect condition. One of their labels is pasted on the under side of the stand and bears the number 3760 and the statement that the animal was obtained in New South Wales. Includes illustrative plates.
History
Publication title
Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Pagination
99-110
Rights statement
In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania..