198 



EGG-LAYING MAMMALS 



young, and deposits two eggs, which are enclosed in a strong, 

 flexible shell three-fourths of an inch in length by two-thirds 

 of an inch in greatest diameter. When first hatched the 

 young are blind and hairless, and the beak is very short. 



AN ECHIDNA IN THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



The food of this creature consists of aquatic insects, crus- 

 taceans and worms. 



The other Family of egg-laying mammals belonging to 

 this Order contains the ECHIDNAS of Australia and New 

 Guinea. These animals are arranged in two genera, the Five- 

 Toed Echidna (Tachyglossus), consisting of a single species 

 which occurs in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, and 

 the Three-Toed Echidnas (Zaglossus), comprising two species, 

 which are confined to New Guinea. The Five-Toed Echidna 

 is covered with strong spines set very thickly all over its outer 

 surface, and its nose is a slender and narrow beak. 



