198 EGG-LAYING MAMMALS 
young, and deposits two eggs, which are enclosed in a strong, 
flexible shell three-fourths of an inch in length by two-thirds 
of an inch in greatest diameter. When first hatched the 
young are blind and hairless, and the beak is very short. 
AN ECHIDNA IN THE NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 
The food of this creature consists of aquatic insects, crus- 
taceans and worms. 
The other Family of egg-laying mammals belonging to 
this Order contains the Ecuipnas of Australia and New 
Guinea. These animals are arranged in two genera, the Five- 
Toed Echidna (Tachyglossus), consisting of a single species 
which occurs in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, and 
the Three-Toed Echidnas (Zaglossus), comprising two species, 
which are confined to New Guinea. The Five-Toed Echidna 
is covered with strong spines set very thickly all over its outer 
surface, and its nose is a slender and narrow beak. 
