228 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



the food to the throat. It is an apathetic and stupid animal, and usually tries to get out of the lio-ht, 

 and it will lie and roll itself up, but not so successfully as a Hedgehog. One of the first which was 

 seen was attacked by the Dogs of two of the travellers, Bass and Flinders, whose names are so familiar 

 from places having been named after them in Australia. The Dogs did not come off victorious for 

 the new animal burrowed in the loose sand, but not head foremost ; it sank itself directly downwards, 

 and left its prickly back just on a level with the surface. 



An Echidna was watched, so that the manner in which it could use its tongue was observed. 

 Ants could not be had, but a diet of chopped-up eggs, liver, and meat was readily received, and it was 

 noticed that the tongue was used in the same manner as that of the Chameleon, by simple protrusion 



PORCUPINE ECHIDNA. (After Gervais.) 



and bringing in, and also as a mower moves his scythe, it being curved sideways, and the food swept 

 into the mouth. The Echidna is fond of water and milk, which are licked up by a rapid putting out 

 and drawing in of the long tongue. 



Gerard Krefft says that they are usually found in mountain ranges, and among rocks in the Lower 

 Murray district. He failed to feed them on Ants and their eggs. On hen's eggs they fed for a time, 

 and liked bread-and-milk. He has reason to believe that they live on grass also, as those whose 

 stomachs and intestines he examined had fed on herbs and grasses. The spur on the heel is not used 

 as a weapon of offence. 



It inhabits Australia, and has been found as far north as the Bellenden Plains, Queensland, 

 about 18 south latitude. A specimen has also been captured at Cape York, and others at Plain 

 Creek, Queensland. It is not found in Yan Diemen's Land. 



With regard to the anatomy of the Echidna, it may be said that the long muzzle and the 

 very slender lower jaw give the skull a bird-like look which is increased by the swollen and 

 ball shape of the brain-case. The bones of the skull remain imperfectly united for some time, and 



