j66 MONOTREMATA. 



dig out burrows, and live on ants, which they catch by projecting their 

 tongue covered with a viscous humor into the dwellings of these insects. 



The Australian Hedgehog, Echidna aculeata (Plate LXIV) is found 

 on the mainland of Australia. The head is elongated like that of the 

 proper ant-eaters, and contains in the jaws no teeth of any kind. The 

 spines or prickles begin at the back of the head, and form a thick cover- 

 ing upon the upper part of the animal. The head, limbs and abdomen 

 are covered with hair of a dark-brown color and very stiff and bristly. 

 The prickles are dirty yellow, with black tips. 



If this animal is attacked, it rolls itself into a ball, and is then difficult 

 to hold, as the spines can give severe wounds. It is almost impossible 

 to drag it from its burrow, as it spreads its spines out against the walls 

 of the tunnel. It is probable that it passes the dry season in a state of 

 sleep, for it is, during that period, seldom seen abroad. Cold also has a 

 great influence on it, and a slight decline of temperature seems to place 

 it in a state of hibernation. 



It is called Nicobejan, Janokambine, and Cogera, by the natives 

 who roast it in its skin as European gypsies roast the hedgehog. Some 

 of them have been kept in captivity ; they were quiet, and liked to be 

 caressed. They were fed on sugared liquids. 



The second species, Echidna setosa, is found in Tasmania. It 

 resembles the above in every respect except color, which is of a darker 

 brown instead of the black and yellow which decorates the spines of the 

 common species. The prickles are comparatively few, and there is much 

 close fur between them. 



CONCLUSION 



* 



