MARSUPIAL QUADRUPEDS. 79 
and does not become hard till it is time for the animal to 
cease to suckle. The fore feet are formed for digging, 
and the animal excavates a burrow, sometimes even fifty 
feet in length, i the bank of the stream, where it lives. 
Both the fore and the hind feet are fitted for swimming 
by being webbed. The web on its fore feet extends over 
its claws, but it has the power of folding it back when it 
wishes to dig. 
134. The other animal is the Echidna, or Porcupine 
Ant-eater. It is about the size and form of a hedgehog, 
but its spines are stouter. It burrows with great ra- 
pidity. When attacked by dogs, it quickly, by digging, 
sinks itself in earth or sand, so that they can see nothing 
but its bristling back, and this they are not disposed to 
touch. 
Questions.—What.is said of the structure and habits of the Insect- 
ivora? What are the families of this order? What is said of the 
structure and habits of the common Mole? Describe the arrange- 
ment of a mole-hill. What is said of the Shrew Mouse? What of 
the Hedgehog? Of the Banxrings? What are the families of the 
order Rodentia? Describe their front teeth. What is said of their 
back teeth? What is said of the Squirrel: family? What of the 
American Marmot? Of the Rats and Mice? Ofthe Jerboas? De- 
scribe the structure and habits of the Beaver? What is said of the 
Porcupine? Of the Guinea-pig family? Of the Hares? What is 
said of the Edentata? What of the Crested Ant-eater? Of the Pan- 
golins? Of the Armadilloes? Of the Sloth? From what do the 
Marsupials get their name? Where are they found? What is said 
of the Great Kangaroo? How many species are there of the Opos- 
sums? Where are they found? What are their habits? How are 
they allied to the Monkey tribe ? What is said of the Virginia Opos- 
sum? What are the structure and habits of the Duck-billed Platy- 
pus? What is said of the Echidna? Where are these two animals 
, found? 
