474 POUCHED QUADRUPEDS. 



which are many sharp spines. The tongue is long, capable of being 

 thrust out to a great length, and covered with a glutinous secretion, 

 by means of which it captures the Ants, that constitute its usual 

 food. 



FlG. 400. THE PORCUPINE ANT-EATEK. 



ORDER II. MARSUPIALIA.* 

 POUCHED QUADRUPEDS. 



These animals are remarkable for the premature 

 production of their young, which are born in so early 

 a stage of their growth, that they are incapable of 

 motion, and scarcely show the germs of limbs, or 

 other external organs. These little ones remain 

 attached to the teats of the mother, from whose milk 

 they derive their food, and are carried about in a 

 pouch formed by the skin of the abdomen, until they 

 are able to provide for themselves. In some species, 

 however, this pouch is deficient. The Marsupial 

 quadrupeds have only been found in America, on the 

 Australian continent, and in some of the adjacent 

 islands. Australia, indeed, with a few doubtful 

 exceptions, produces no indigenous mammiferous 

 animals, but such as belong to this Order. 



* Marsupium, a pouch. 



