The Reptilia also begin in this case, and are continued in 
Cases 9, lo and ii. The living reptiles are divided into the four 
following orders: Rkynehocephalia^ embracing the New Zealand 
Tuatera; Squamata, containing the snakes and lizards; Chelonia, 
turtles; Crocodilia, crocodiles, alligators, gavials. 
There are a few representatives of all these orders. Most of 
the species in the collection are from foreign countries, while our 
own reptilian fauna is hardly represented. Among the conspic- 
uous reptiles exhibited are the alligators, the cayman, the gavial, 
the large specimen of the lace lizard ( Varanus), tlie pythons, etc. 
HALL 19. 
MAMMALS. 
Case 1.— Four representatives of the lower sub-class of 
mammals, the PfotothcTKi. Of these the most interesting is the 
duck-bill (Ornztkorhynchus). It is so called on account of its 
duck-like beak. It is a native of Australia. It is aquatic in its 
habits and swims with facility. Although a true mammal, the 
remarkable fact has been discovered that it lays eggs instead of 
producing living young. The Echidnas, or spiny ant-eaters, are 
inhabitants of New Guinea, Tasmania and Australia. 
This case also contains members of the second sub-class of 
mammals, the Metatheria, order Marsupialia. These comprise 
the phalangers, the bandicoots, the kangaroos, the dasyures, all 
inhabitants of Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, and the 
opossums, dwellers in the Americas. They present many strange 
and interesting forms of life. The phalangers usually live in trees 
and have prehensile tails. Some species subsist on vegetation, 
others on insects. The “flying phalangers” resemble our flying 
squirrels, in having a fold of skin, which acts as a parachute. 
The bandicoots [Perameles) burrow in the earth and subsist on 
roots and grain. The kangaroos are grass-eating animals. The 
dasyures are devourers of flesh. One species {Dasyurus ursinus) 
has earned the name of “ Tasmanian devil.” All the other mam- 
mals belong to the sub-class Eutheria, and are continued in Case 2. 
