Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see Owen (1865), pp. 677-8, which includes quoted sections. The version here includes Owen's paraphrases in square brackets, and the sequence of quoted sections follows Owen's arrangement.

Colac Forest

August 31. 1864

[In Colac Forest,Victoria, on the 12th of August, 1864, his attention was attracted by his dogs to a fallen tree, in the hollow of which the Echidna had taken refuge.] On examining her I found the young one attached to one teat, presenting the appearance of a miniature Porcupine, with an absence of quills, partially transparent, of a bright red colour. [The mother was placed in a porter-cask of earth containing ants.]

On Wednesday the 17th of August it still remained attached to the teat, presenting the same appearance as when first captured, evidently in a living state. I avoided handling it more than necessary, as it evinced signs of terror by a protrusion of the vagina and frequently emitting urine.

On Thursday, 18th of August, I emptied the earth out of the cask, to replace it with fresh earth containing ants, and to my surprise found the young one removed from the teat. I "panned off" the earth, as for gold, and found the young considerably shrunk.

[The young was placed in a bottle of spirits, and transmitted, with the mother alive, to Mueller.]

2

This female was dissected by M and James Rudall: See M to R. Owen, 25 August 1864 (in this edition as 64-08-25c).

My dates are correct, as I keep a diary, and you may rely upon what I have stated being authentic.