342 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
The writer, during his residence in Tasmania, had several examples of the local species as 
domestic pets. For the first few days they were very shy and untractable, burrowing into 
the earth and seeking to escape, or presenting an impenetrable cheval de frise of sharp- 
pointed spines to the hands that sought to caress them. After a short interval, however, the 
creatures became entirely reconciled to human society and the small amount of restraint to which 
they were subjected. They would follow their owner about the garden, or, flattening their 
bodies and spreading out their limbs to the greatest extent, lie basking in the sun close to 
where he might be seated. They also apparently appreciated being carried, slung across their 
owner’s arm after the manner of a lap dog. Living in the near vicinity of unreclaimed 
bush-land, it was found possible to keep these echidnas well supplied with their customary 
food; they were, in fact, permitted to forage on their own account. Liberated amidst their 
normal surroundings, they would walk leisurely from one ant-hill to another, tearing down 
the side of it with their powerful front claws, and appropriating its living contents with the 
greatest relish. It was observed, however, in this connection that the echidna paid attention 
entirely to the succulent white larvae and pupal phases of the insects with which the inner 
chambers of the ant-hills are customarily crowded, and that adult ants, as they abounded in 
the tracts near at hand or elsewhere, were altogether neglected. In addition to this natural 
food these animals were supplied daily with a saucer of either well-softened bread or porridge 
and milk, for which they evinced a decided appreciation, assimilating this food dexterously, 
though somewhat slowly, with the aid of their long protrusile tongues. Allowed to wander 
about the house, they displayed a most inquisitive turn of mind, peering into every crevice, and 
climbing upon every accessible article of furniture. 
The echidna usually produces only one egg at a time; it is relatively small, not larger 
than a sparrow’s egg, but equally and obtusely rounded at both extremities, and with a white 
leathery shell like that of a reptile. For some time previous to hatching, this egg is carried 
in a skin-fold or rudimentary pouch in the parent’s abdomen, much similar to that possessed 
by many of the marsupials. The young one is also retained in this pouch for some weeks 
after escaping from the egg. When finally leaving the pouch, it is between three and four 
inches in length, and the spines are in an altogether rudimentary condition. 
Examples of the Australian echidna have on several occasions been “in residence” at the 
Zoo; while the Hon. Walter Rothschild 
has been fortunate in keeping living [Ry Sli ge ne 
specimens of both this and the very rare | 
three-toed New Guinea variety in his 
admirably appointed menagerie at Tring | 
THE PLATYPUS 
The egg-laying mammal known as 
the DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS differs very 
essentially from the echidna both in 
aspect and habits. It is adapted espe- 
cially for an amphibious life, and for 
feeding on molluscs, worms, and insects, 
which it abstracts from the muddy bed 
or banks of the rivers that it frequents. 
The somewhat depressed ovate body is 
covered with short dense fur much re- 
sembling in colour and texture that of 
an otter. The tail is short and flattened : 
like that of a beaver, but in place of Photo by W, Saville-Kent, F.Z.S. | 
being naked and scaly, as in that animal, COMMON OR VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM 
is covered, on the upper surface more The only marsupial animal found north of Mexico 
