Morning journal and courier., 1889-04-08
The Ornythorhyncus.

Every body who has read anything about Australia, writes New York Times corre- spondent, has formed the acquaintance of that most extraordinary of animals, the ornythorhyncus, or ducked-billed platypus. He varies in size from the American musk- rat to the woodchuek, has 8 brown fur somewhat like mole, but coarser, and bright, beady eyes, which are almost com pletely hidden in his diminutive head. Thus much beast, he has the bill of duck, webbsd feet, and (unless my recollection is at fault) the female lays eggs and suekles her young. His fur is the most valuable of that of any of the animals of Australia which, for the most part, have rather thin coverinRs-and his race is rapidly becoming e1terminated by hunters for manufacteries of cloaks, caps and rugs. And if the duck billed platypus did not sufficiently confuse matters by combining the forms and natures of mammal and bird, it has pleased him to assume the habits of the fish to the extent of living in rivers and feeding on worms and water insects. His likeness to the finny tribes Is further increased by the fact that tho most approved way of catching him is
 by means of set lines with baited hooks that are arranged by night across the streams that he most frequents, and upon which he is found drowned in the morning. His hab- it's being chiefly nocturnal and his agility in the water so great that he will often dive at tha flash of gun before the shot can reach hiH, make his capture by other methods than the fish line somewhat uncertain.
 Physical Effects of Alcohol
 LDr. W. S. Searle in North American RevIew.l
 Rut if the physical results of alcohol are varied, much more diverse are it's effects up- on the mental and moral nature of man. h. deed, they are multifornn man imself. One general classification only is possible. Certain individuals Fortunately the small minority) are always pleasurably affected by stimulants. Each successive dose arouses in them e1hilaration, and when intoxioation supervenes their sensations are delightful Their every sense is exalted; they fancy
 themselves endued with every gift-with all power and possession. As is often remarked,
 these are generally men of the most brilliant intellect and of the most charming moreal qualities. Once led captive by alcohol, these unfortunates seldom have sufficient power of will to refrain iron renewed indul- gence. No moral considerations av all to re- strain them, and. with few exceptions, they yield wholly, finally and fatally, to the l tempter For such men total abstinence is the only refuge. Upon the large majority of
 men the effects of alcohol taken to intoxioa- l tion, are clearly and essentially different; | although at first exhilarated, repeated indul- gence brings drowsiness. dullness of appre-
 hension, ansesthesia, vertigo, nausea and
 vomiting-in short, bodily and mental symp- toms which are excessively dissgreeable. Of | this class very few become drunkards, and l those are men to whom an@theeia, becomes desirable as temporary refuge from bodily l pain and mental distress. Herein lies the I sole explanation of the fact that the propor- | ton of drunkards to moderate and habitusl drinkers remains small.