MARSUPIAL QUADRUPEDS. 19 



and does not become hard till it is time for the animal to 

 cease to suckle. The fore feet are formed for digging, 

 and the animal excavates a burrow, sometimes even fifty- 

 feet in length, in the bank of the stream, where it lives. 

 Both the fore and the hind feet are fitted for swimming 

 by being webbed. The web on its fore feet extends over 

 its claws, but it has the power of folding it back when it 

 wishes to dig. 



134. The other animal is the Echidna, or Porcupine 

 Ant-eater. It is about the size and form of a hedgehog, 

 but its spines are stouter. It burrows with great ra- 

 pidity. When attacked by dogs, it quickly, by digging, 

 sinks itself in earth or sand, so that they can see nothing 

 but its bristhng back, and this they are not disposed to 

 touch. 



Questions. — What is said of the structure and habits of the Insect- 

 ivora ? What are the families of this order ? What is said of the 

 structure and habits of the common Mole? Describe the arrange- 

 ment of a mole-hill. What is said of the Shrew Mouse ? What of 

 the HedRehog ? Of the Banxrings ? What are the families of the 

 order Rodentia ? Describe their front teeth. What is said of their 

 back teeth ? What is said of the Squirrel family ? What of the 

 American Marmot ? Of the Eats and Mice ? Of the Jerboas ? De- 

 scribe the structure and habits of the Beaver ? What is said of the 

 Porcupine ? Of the Guinea-pig family f Of the Hares ? What is 

 said of the Edentata ? What of the Crested Ant-eater ? Of the Pan- 

 golins ? Of the Armadilloes ? Of the Sloth ? From what do the 

 Marsupials get their name ? Where are they found ? What is said 

 of the Great Kangaroo ? How many species are tliere of the Opos- 

 sums ? Where are they found ? What are their habits ? How are 

 they allied to the Monkey tribe ? What is said of the Virginia Opos- 

 sum ? What are the structure and habits of the Duck-billed Platy- 

 pus ? What is said of the Echidna ? Where are these two animals 

 found? 



D 2 



