50 
HORN EXPEDITION—MAMMALIA. 
“run” such ns the European mole constructs, tliough, at the same time, it is quite 
probal)le and, in fact, almost cei’tain that it burrows deep down into tlie more 
solid ground, and there, during the breeding time, the female probably remains. 
When in search of food, it must make its way through the surface sand, which is 
much too loose to allow of a permanent burrow being formed. 
There is some doubt as to the nature of its food. It has been stated that 
ants attack Notoryctes rather than vice versa. In one of the earlier specimens 
which came into my possession there were certainly a number of ants, or 
rather the remains of these, clinging to the fur. The stomach of the same 
specimen contained the remains of ants and also the hard “ shells ” of ant eggs. It 
is really very difficult to see how any ant could annoy Notoryctes. The fur is so 
thick, clo.se and fine that no ordinaiy ant could do more than get entangled 
among.st it, whilst, where the hair is absent, the surface is encased in a leathery 
integument. 
iNIr. Ilishop, of Idrncowra, to whom Dr. Stirling has previously expressed his 
indebtedness, found that Notoryctes would feed upon the larval form of a beetle 
commonly known as “ witchetty.” 
I think there can be no doubt but that Notoryctes will feed upon anything 
available in the way of insects or insect larva; with which it comes in contact; 
but, on the other hand, I do not think it likely that its normal food is the 
“witchetty.” 
The latter lives, when found amongst the sand-hills, in the roots of certain 
plant.s, such as Acachis and Cassias, and the teeth of Notoryctes are not such 
as to fit it for gnawing. On the other hand, when it is travelling, and 
presumably in search of food, Notoryctes moves along in the sand near to the 
surface, where in Central Australia it is quite certain to come in contact with ant- 
nests. 
There are amongst the marsupials of Central Australia two which are especially 
fitted to prey upon ants. One, Myrmecobius, has become modified, with its long 
tongue, to feed upon them above-ground, and the other, Notoryctes, has become 
modified to feed upion them and their eggs and larva; under-ground. 
The great degeneration of the eye in Notoryctes is associated also with its 
habits. It is difficult to understand how any animal which lives under the 
conditions in which Notoryctes does could have preserved eyes exposed on the 
surface of the head. 
