THE STORY OF THE ECHIDNA. 
481 
both the palate and the tongue are thickly beset with small spines. The 
body of the echidnas is remarkably broad and depressed, with a sharp line 
of division between the spine-covered area of the back and the hairy under¬ 
parts. The tail is a mere stump, and the short and sturdy limbs are armed 
with enormously powerful claws, varying in number from three to five on 
each foot. Although the front-feet are applied to the ground in the usual 
way, .the hind-feet, in walking, have the claws turned outwards and back¬ 
wards. 
The males resemble those of the duckbill in having a hollow spur at the 
THE ECHIDNA OR SPINY ANT-EATER. 
back of the hind-foot, which is probably employed as a weapon in the con¬ 
tests between rival males during the breeding season. 
The common echidna is a variable species, found in Australia, Tasmania 
and New Guinea, and characterized by having five toes on each foot, all 
provided with claws, those on the fore-feet being broad, while the others 
are narrow and more curved. In length the beak is about equal to- that of 
the remainder of the head, and it is either straight or slightly turned 
upwards. The smallest variety inhabits Port Moresby, in New Guinea, and 
