})6 MAMMALIA. 



The Monotremata are only found in New Holland, and have been dis- 

 covered since the settlement of the English. Two genera ol them are known. 



ECHIDNA, Cuv. 



The elongated slender muzzle of the Spiny Ant-Eaters, terminated by a 

 small mouth, contains an extensible tongue similar to that of the Ant- Eaters 

 and Pangolins, and, like them, they feed on ants. They have no teeth, but 

 their palate is furnished with several rows of small recurved spines. Their 

 short feet have each five very long and stout nails fitted for digging ; and the 

 upper surface of the body is covered with spines like that of the hedgehog. 

 It appears that, when in danger, they also possess the faculty of rolling 

 themselves into a ball. There are two species. 



E. hystrix. (The Spiny Echidna.) Completely covered with large spines. 



E. setosa. (The Bristly Echidna.) Is covered with hair, among which 

 the spines are half hidden. Some naturalists consider it as a mere variety 

 from age. 



ORNITHOKHYNCHUS, Blumenbach. PLATYPUS, Shaw. 



The elongated, and at the same time singularly enlarged and flattened 

 muzzle of the Ornithorhynchi presents the closest 

 external resemblance to the bill of a duck, and the 

 more so as its edges are similarly furnished with 

 small transverse lamina. There is a membrane 

 to the fore feet, which not only unites the toes, 

 but extends far beyond the nails ; in the hind feet 

 the membrane terminates at the root of the nails ; 

 two characters, which, with the flattened tail, make 

 them aquatic animals. The Ornithorhynchi in- 

 habit the rivers and marshes of New Holland in 

 the neighbourhood of Port Jackson. 



Two species only are known, one with smooth, thin, reddish fur, the 

 Ornitltorhynrhus paradoxus, Blumenb. ; and the other with blackish -brown 

 flat and frizzled hair. Probably these are only varieties of age. 



ORDER VII. 



PACHYDERMATA*. 



THE Edentata terminate the series of unguiculated animals, and we have 

 just seen that there are some of them whose nails are so large, and so enve- 

 lo)>e the extremities of the toes, as to approximate them in a certain degree 

 to the hoofed animals. They still, however, possess the faculty of bending 



' * Thick-skinned animals. 



