KGG-LAYING MAMMALS. 
117 
that of other Mammals, observations having shown that in 
Echidna it stands only at about 78°, some 20° lower than that 
of Man, and about 30° below that of the average of Birds. 
Spiny Anteaters, Ecliidnida’, are characterized by the long 
narrow snout, small mouth, long worm-like tongue, want of 
teeth of any sort, rudimentary tail, free toes with stout digging- 
claws, and spiny porcupine-like coats. This family contains 
the common Echidna aculeata ( 1485 , fig. G2), with five toes 
to each foot, from Australia as well as New Guinea, and the 
Three-toed Echidna, Proechidna hruijnii ( 1486 ), confined to the 
mountainous region of northern New Guinea. 
Fig’. 04. 
The Duck -hilled Platypus {OrnitJiorhynchus anatinus). 
Spiny Anteaters live exclusively on ants, which they catch 
with their long extensile tongues, like the true Anteaters. 
Their palates are covered with rows of horny spines, which 
serve to scrape the ants off the tongue when it is withdrawn 
into the mouth. By the help of their strong curved claws they 
are able to bury themselves in loose soil in a very few minutes. 
The two eggs are carried about by the female in the temporary 
pouch till they are hatched. A specimen (fig. 63) is exhibited 
in the case. 
The Platypus (fig. 64), representing the fiimily Ornitho-^ 
rlipichidre, is, as already stated, distinguished by the structure 
