OliDEIlS OF MAMMALIA. 



321 



have a spur on the hind-lega. Tlie cmly known species i.i the Orni- 

 thorhynclius paradoxiu. 



The other genus of Monotrcmes comprises the Spiny Ant-eaters 

 {Echidna or Tachyglossus), whicli are not unlike large hedgehogs in 

 appearance. The snout is very long, and is enclosed in a continuous 

 skin till close upon its extremity, where there is a small aperture for 

 the protrusion of a long and flexible tongue. Thei-e are no teeth, or 

 any organs to act as teeth. The feet have five toes each, and are 



Fig. 227.- Monotrfmata. OrnWiorliynclnis Jiaradoxus, Australia. 



furnished with strong digging-claws, hut the toes are not webbed. 

 The skin is covered with strong prickly spines interspersed with 

 bristly hair. The common Australian species {Echidna hi/strix) 

 measures from fifteen to eighteen inches in" length, and is a noc- 

 turnal animal. It lives in burrows, and feeds upon insects, which it 

 captures by protruding its long sticky tongue. Another species is 

 found in Tasmania ; and two species are known to occur in New 

 Gvrinea. 



