358 ECHIDNA. 



stouter than in that animal; and the two are easily distinguished 

 by the long narrow snout which the Echidna possesses. This 

 snout is formed by the elongation of the muzzle, and is cleftf at 

 the point by a very small mouth. The jaws are destitute of 

 teeth, as in the true Ant-eater ( 250) ; and the tongue is 

 long and slender, and capable of being protruded to a considerable 

 distance. The legs are short, but large and strong ; and both 

 the hind and fore-feet possess five toes, which are armed with 

 strong slightly-curved claws. On the heel of the hind-foot 

 is a curved horny spur, like that of the Ornithorhyncus. The 

 Echidna is a burrowing animal ; and the broad strong claws of 

 its fore-feet appear to be used for digging out the earth ; while 

 the large hollow claws of the hind-feet are to enable the animal 

 to cast away the loose soil. These members are twisted, and 

 directed obliquely backwards, in such a manner that the sides of 

 the claws lie on the ground, and the concave surface or sole of 

 the foot is behind ; thus forming very efficient shovels for this 

 purpose. The skin of the Echidna is remarkably thick, to give 

 attachment to the strong spines with which it is covered ; and 

 it can erect these in the manner of a Hedgehog, though unable 

 to roll itself into a ball, like that animal. The spines are inter- 

 mingled with coarse hairs, which also clothe the limbs and under 

 surface of the body. This animal lives entirely upon insects ; 

 which it obtains, in the same manner with the Ant-eaters, by 

 entrapping them with the viscous secretion that covers its long 

 tongue. It inhabits the mountain ranges of Australia, and is 

 found also in Yan Diemen's Land and the islands of Bass's 

 Straits. It burrows with great rapidity ; and will even work 

 its way under a pretty strong pavement, or the foundation of a 

 wall, removing the stones with its claws. When attacked by 

 dogs, it quickly sinks itself in the earth or sand, so as to present 

 nothing but its prickly back to its adversaries. In one instance, 

 a large chest of earth containing plants being given to an Echidna 

 in captivity, it made its way to the bottom in less than two 

 minutes. This individual is described as stupid and inert ; and 

 for the first month after its capture, it took no food whatever. 

 It became very thin, but did not appear to suffer. It afterwards 



