Actually - platypus, like octopus is greek, not latin. Platy meaning "flat" and pus meaning "foot" - with octopus of course meaning 8-footed. In greek the correct plural would be ode(s) - so many language experts argue that this is the correct plural. e.g. octopodes - which appears in the webster and oxford dictionary as a correct plural. The pi ending is a latin plural for a greek word - which is why it is considered incorrect. Platypuses and octopuses is however easier and more commonly used in english, so for that reason they have become the preferred plurals.Quote:
Originally Posted by JLo
Tom Grant uses platypuses - which you argue is incorrect. How many journal papers do you have compared to him???
Well as a fellow "venomous egg laying mammal" you are biased :pQuote:
Originally Posted by EchiDna
But seriously - I agree - however the (english) language seems almost as weird at times (as do the insane conspiracy theory ramblings of some people on here... )
Anyway - back on topic - I was lucky enough to see a few platypuses in the northern nsw area about 10 years ago. I was surprised by how small they were.
In the National Museum in canberra there is a blanked made from platypus pelts sewn together - about 42!!! Apparently it was quite common for early settlers to make these - the poor platypuses must have been plentiful back then.
When we were in tassie we tried hard to find some in some likely spots, but no luck. Saw heaps of echidnas though!
While canoeing in pemberton (WA) we saw what we thought was a platypus swimming underwater...http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/UNF.../u12420225.jpg
but it turned out to be a musk duck
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...10/04/1389.jpg\
(yes I know platypus aren't endemic to WA - but neither are a host of east coast bird species which have been released here).
