This document discusses lactation in various mammals. It begins by explaining that lactation is controlled by hormones like prolactin and oxytocin and provides nutrition and immunity to young. It then covers characteristics of different subclasses of mammals - monotremes lay eggs but secrete milk, marsupials give birth to underdeveloped young that nurse in pouches, and placentals have fully developed young. Specific examples of lactation in platypuses, koalas, kangaroos, mice, cats and humans are provided, describing milk composition, nursing behaviors, and length of lactation periods.