44 



SPINY ANIMALS. 



that the spines have been acquired independently in the 

 two groups. 



As we found the last representative of the mole-like 

 animals among the pouched mammals, so we observe that 

 spiny animals are represented among the still lower egg- 

 laying mammals by the spiny anteaters, or echidnas, of 



FiGk 17. The Spiny Anteater. 



Australia and New Guinea. The two kinds of echidnas 

 differ, however, externally from all the spiny animals 

 hitherto mentioned in the production of the muzzle into a 

 long, toothless tubular beak ; and their spines are short, 

 and in some cases largely concealed by the fur. Neither 

 of them have the power of rolling the body into a ball ; 

 and, whereas the Australian echidna has five toes to each 



