242 



ZOOLOGY. 



with claws of moderate size. It is covered with a soft fill-, 

 and is about half a metre (17-22 inches) long. Its habits 

 are like those of a muskrat, frequenting rivers and pools in 



Fig. 282.— Duckbill. Australia. From Liitken. 



Australia and Van Diemen's Land, sleeping and breeding 

 in holes extending from under the water up above its level 

 into the banks, and with an outlet on shore. It lives on 



Fig 283— a, Young Duckbill; b, younpr Echidna; c, section of the ventral 



pouch. From Liitken. 



tnollusks, worms, and water-insects. Young duckbills 

 five cm. (2 inches) long have been found in their nests. 



The spiny ant-eater (Figs. 283, b, c, and 284) is repre- 

 sented by three species, one inhabiting Australia, another 

 Port Moresby, New Guinea, while the third form inhabits 



