23 



The larger of the two 13 one of those vhich were kept in captivity, 

 with their dam, by Lieut. the Hon. Lauderdale Maule, as noticed 

 in a communication read at the Meeting of the Committee of Sci- 

 ence and Correspondence of this Society on September 11, 1832, 

 (Proceedings, Part II. p. Ho). VVith it was exhibited the dried 

 skin of the dam, to vvhich the mammary glands, largely developed, 

 had been left adhering. 



A Note from Lieut. Breton, Corr. Memb. Z. S., was read, giving 

 an account of an Echidna, which Hved with him for some time in New 

 Holland, and survived a part of the voyage to England. The animal 

 was captured by him on the Blue Mountains : it is now very uncom- 

 mon in the colony of Nevv South Wales. He regards it as being of 

 its .size the strongest quadruped in existence. It burrows readily, 

 but he knows not to what depth. 



Previously to embarkation this individual was fed on ant-eggs and 

 milk, and when on board its diet was egg chopped small with liver 

 and meat. It drank much water. Its mode of eating was very curi- 

 •ous, the tongue being used at some times in the manner of that of 

 the Chamaleon, and at others in that in which a mower uses his 

 scythe, the tongue being curved laterally, and the food, as it were, 

 swept Into the mouth : there seemed to be an adhesive substance on 

 the tongue, by vvhich the food vvas drawn in. The animal died sudden- 

 ly off Cape Horn, vvhile the vessel was amidst the ice ; perhaps in con- 

 seąuence of the cold, but not improbably on account of the eggs with 

 which it vvas fed being extremely bad. 



Lieut. Breton agrees vvith MM. Quoy and Gaimard in believing 

 that little difficulty would be experienced in bringing alive to Europe 

 the Echidna or Forcupine Ant-eater of Nevv Holland. He suggests 

 ihe follovving plan. 



Previously to embarkation the animal should gradually be vv^eaned 

 from its natūrai food of ants, vvhich may be done vvith great facility 

 by giving it occasionally ants and ant-eggs, (the lašt is, in fact, more 

 properly speaking, its common food,) but more generally milk, vvith 

 eggs chopped very small, or egg alone. When on board ship it should 

 be kept in a deep box, vvith strong bars over the top, and a door. It 

 is requisite that the box or cage be deep, because the animal con- 

 stantly trics its utmost to escape j and possessing very great .s trength, 

 is liabie to injure itself in its exertions to force its way through the 

 bars. The efBuvia arising from its escrement are so extremely fetid, 

 that it cannot be kept altogethcr in a cabin, unless the cage be fre- 

 quently cieaned. VVhile this is being done, the Echidna may be al- 

 lovved its liberty, but mušt be narrovvly vvatched, or it vvill certainly 

 go overhoard. It is absolutely nccessary tliat the eggs vvhich are to 

 constitute its food during the voyage be as fresh as possible: they can 

 be preserved in lime vvater. If milk is not to be procured, water mušt 

 be supplied daily ; and egg and liver (or fresh meat) cut small, should 

 be given at least every alternate day ; but, vvhen the vveather will per- 

 mit, it should be fed once a day. Half an egg (boiled hard) and the 



