NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



115 



TWO-TOED SLOTH. 



at the Primate House, where they seem to be fully acclima- 

 tized. In form and habit they are remarkable animals, and 

 well worthy of close attention. 



The Egg-Laying Mammals. — For several months there 

 were exhibited here two Echidnas — of all small mammals 

 ever seen alive in New York the most wonderful. The Ech- 

 idna comes from Australia, the home of remarkable types of 

 animals, and belongs to the lowest Order of Mam- 

 mals, (Monotremata). Like its distant relative, the duck- 

 billed platypus, it reproduces by laying eggs! Its back 

 is covered with short but very thick spines, and its nose is 

 a long, slender beak, absolutely unique. Other examples 

 of this species will be exhibited whenever possible. 



THE PUMA AND LYNX HOUSE, No. 33A. 



Near the Small-Mammal House (No. 35) will be found 

 a log cabin with its entire front opening into two wire- 

 covered yards. The interior of the building is provided 

 with sleeping-dens in which the occupants of the two en- 

 closures can keep dry and warm. This installation is for 

 lynxes, but half of it is occupied by pumas. Already it has 

 fully proven the desirability of keeping lynxes and pumas 

 constantly in the open air, and without artificial heat. To 

 lynxes especially there is nothing more deadly than a well- 

 heated room, indoors. 



