454 



MONOTREMATA 



and palate are furnished with rows of small spines. The 

 tongue, in addition, is extensile and serves the same purpose 

 as that of the Ant-eater (Plate XLVIII. Fig. i). 



The legs of the Echidna are short and the feet are fitted 

 with enormous claws, the hind ones being directed back- 

 wards and outwards, thus forming excellent shovels for the 

 removal of soil when engaged in burrowing operations. 

 In proportion to its size the strength 

 of the Echidna is remarkable. It 

 burrows with a rapidity equal at 

 least to that of the mole, and if it 

 cannot disappear entirely, in an 

 almost incredibly short time it is 

 buried sufficiently to present only 

 its spiny back to an enemy. It 

 cannot roll itself into a ball so 

 successfully as the hedgehog. 



With its claws it makes short 

 work of ant hills, in which it con- 

 fines its attention chiefly to the 

 white larvae and pupal phases of the 

 insects. There is reason to believe 

 that the animal varies its diet with 

 grasses and herbs. In captivity it 



evinces a liking for bread and milk and chopped-up 

 meat. 



The Echidna usually lays only one egg at a time ; it 

 is not larger than that of a sparrow; it is white and 

 leathery, and is carried about in a skin fold until it is 

 hatched. 



The Tasmanian and New Guinea species call for no 

 mention beyond the record of their existence. 



DUCKBILL (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). 

 Plate XLVIII. Fig. 2. 



The Platypus, Duckbill, or Water Mole, is appropriately 

 named in all three of its titles. The generic name means a 

 snouted bird. When a stuffed specimen of the animal was 



MOUTH (A) AND NOSE- 

 SNOUT (B) OF THE 

 ECHIDNA. 



