Marsupials and Monotremes 



381 



The writer, during his residence in Tasmania, had several examples of the local species as 

 domestic pets. For the first few days they were very shy and untractable, burrowing into 

 the earth and seeking to escape, or presenting an impenetrable chcval de frise of sharp- 

 pointed spines to the hands that sought to caress them. After a short interval, however, the 

 creatures became entirely reconciled to human society and the small amount of restraint to which 

 they were subjected. They would follow their owner about the garden, or, flattening their 

 bodies and spreading out their limbs to the greatest extent, lie basking in the sun close to 

 where he might be seated. They also apparently appreciated being carried, slung across their 

 owner's arm after the manner of a lap-dog. Living in the near vicinity of unreclaimed 

 bush-land, it was found possible to keep these echidnas well supplied with their customary 

 food; they were, in fact, permitted to forage on their own account. Liberated amidst their 

 normal surroundings, they would walk leisurely from one ant-hill to another, tearing down 

 the side of it with their powerful front claws, and appropriating its living contents with the 

 greatest relish. It was observed, however, in this connection that the echidna paid attention 

 entirely to the succulent white larvae and pupal phases of the insects with which the inner 

 chambers of the ant-hills are customarily crowded, and that adult ants, as they abounded in 

 the tracts near at hand or elsewhere, were altogether neglected. In addition to this natural 

 food these animals were supplied daily with a saucer of either well-softened bread or porridge 

 and milk, for which they evinced a decided appreciation, assimilating this food dexterously, 

 though somewhat slowly, with the aid of their long protrusile tongues. Allowed to wander 

 about the house, they displayed a most inquisitive turn of mind, peering into every crevice, and 

 climbing upon every accessible article of furniture. 



The echidna usually produces only one egg at a time ; it is relatively small, not larger 

 than a sparrow's egg, but equally and obtusely rounded at both extremities, and with a white 

 leathery shell like that of a reptile. For some time previous to hatching, this egg is carried 

 in a skin-fold or rudimentary pouch in the parent's abdomen, much similar to that possessed 

 by many of the marsupials. The young one is also retained in this pouch for some weeks 

 after escaping from the egg. When finally leaving the pouch, it is between three and four 

 inches in length, and the spines are in an altogether rudimentary condition. 



Examples of the Australian echidna have on several occasions been " in residence " at the 

 Zoo; while the Hon. Walter Rothschild 

 has been fortunate in keeping living 

 specimens of both this and the very rare 

 three-toed New Guinea variety in his 

 admirably appointed menagerie at Tring. 



THE PLATYPUS. 



The egg-laying mammal known as 

 the DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS differs very 

 essentially from the echidna both in 

 aspect and habits. It is adapted espe- 

 cially for an amphibious life, and for 

 feeding on molluscs, worms, and insects, 

 which it abstracts from the muddy bed 

 or banks of the rivers that it frequents. 

 The somewhat depressed ovate body is 

 covered with short dense fur much re- 

 sembling in colour and texture that of 

 an otter. The tail is short and flattened 



like that of a beaver, but in place of rhotobyW.saviae-Kc,it,F.z.a.} 



being naked and scaly, as in that animal, COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM. 



is COVered, On the Upper Surface more The only marsupial animal found north of Mexico. 



