242 



ZOOLOGY. 



with claws of moderate size. It is covered with a soft fui-, 

 and is about lialf a metre (17-22 iiiclies) long. Its habits 

 are like those of a muskrat, frequenting rivers and pools in 



Fig. 28i.— Duckbill. Australia. From Liitken. 



Australia and Van Diemen's Land, sleeping and breeding 

 in holes extending from under the water up above its level 

 into the banks, and with an outlet on shore. It lives on 



Fig. 28.3.— a, Young Duckbill; b, younf; Echidna; c, section of the ventrai 

 pouch. From Liitken. 



mollusks, woi'ms, and water-insects. Young duckbills 

 five cm. (2 inches) long have been found in their nests. 



The spiny aut-ciiter (Figs. 283, I, ■, and 284) is rejire- 

 sented by three species, one inhabiting Australia, another 

 Poi't Moresby, New Guinea, while the third form inhabits 



