232 BURRELL. 



The young of both the Echidna and the platypus maintain a sort of per- 

 petual motion with their fore-arms, first one being thrown out anil then the other. 

 The limb is methodically extended to its lull reach with the palm widely spread, 

 and then with an inward grasping sweep is brought in to the breast, the palm 

 being simultaneously closed. One young Echidna which 1 held cm its back in the 



palm of my hand actually scratched itself sufficiently to draw 1)1 1 by tin* 



vigorous action of its arms. These movements were mi persistent in the young 

 specimen described above that I was unable to satisfactorily photograph it alive, 

 and I had to be content with the accompanying snapshot (Fig. 1). 1 believe 

 the perpetual movements of the fore-limbs of the young of both the Echidna and 

 the platypus assist the flow of milk from the mother's milk-glands to the outer 

 surface of the skin, while they also enable the young to regain a hold upon their 

 parents after they have been detached. 



Fiu. 1 — Young Echidna from pouch. H. Buekell, Phc 



The accompanying photograph of a female Echidna (fig. 'J.) lying upon us 

 back is intended to illustrate what 1 have suggested in an earlier part of this 

 volume (p. 8"), as to the possibility of the animal depositing its egg directly 

 into its pouch, though 1 have nothing further to add to my first note upon the 

 subject. 



The Manilla District is usually infested with rabbits, but in consequence of 

 the drought it was temporarily free from these pests at the time of my visit. 

 The rabbit undoubtedly interferes with the haunts of both the Echidna ami the 

 platypus, though these animals undoubtedly suffer still more at the hands of the 



