45 6 



MONOTREMATA 



deposited in a loose nest of weeds and roots at a secure 

 point in the burrow. The covering of the egg is flexible, as 

 in the case of many reptiles. The female's pouch is simply 

 a fold in the skin, and that is only present during the breed- 

 ing season; there are no teats, but the mammary gland 

 swells into small projections, which can be seized by the 

 pulpy lips of the young. The young animals are very 

 playful, and in captivity are as droll and interesting as 

 puppies. 



