ECHIDNIDsE 127 



This species is known only from New Guinea, the recorded 

 specimens being from the north-western regions of that country. It 

 inhabits rocky ground, and dwells chiefly in the mountains, the 

 specimens which were first described having been obtained at an 

 elevation of about 3500 feet above the sea level. The Papuans capture 

 it by digging trenches in the ground to a depth of about a yard, by 

 which means they generally come upon its runs. 



Fossil Species. — Remains of a species of Echidna of very much 

 larger size than the existing forms have been obtained from the 

 cave-deposits of New South Wales, which appear to be of Pleisto- 

 cene age. This species was named Echidna oweni by the late Mr. 

 Krefl't, but was subsequently called E. ramsayi by Sir R. Owen. 

 In referring this species to the genus Echidna, that term must be 

 regarded as including Proechidna. 



