322 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



particular. The exterior similarity of the Echidna to the 

 Porcupine in person, and the Ant-eater in habits, is by no 

 means so really important as the physical anomalies of that 

 genus, in common with Ornithorynchus, and their striking" 

 analogy both with birds and reptiles. All the component 

 genera of the order Edentata may be considered as mam- 

 miferous animals exhibiting more or less analogies with 

 the oviparous classes. 



