First lesson in zoology : adapted for use in schools . FiQ. 233.—Duck-bill. Australia. (One-fourth natural size.) the duck-bill), which are long and narrow in the Echidna,or broad and flat in the duck-bill {Ornithorhynclius para-doxus), where it is covered by a leathery integument; theexternal ear is wanting; in these respects they resemblereptiles and birds. In the aquatic duck-bill (Fig. 333) the feet are webbed,with claws of moderate size. It is covered with a soft fur,and is a-bgut half a metre (17-33 inches)-long. Its habits 232 FIRST LESSONS IN are like those of a muskrat, freq
First lesson in zoology : adapted for use in schools . FiQ. 233.—Duck-bill. Australia. (One-fourth natural size.) the duck-bill), which are long and narrow in the Echidna,or broad and flat in the duck-bill {Ornithorhynclius para-doxus), where it is covered by a leathery integument; theexternal ear is wanting; in these respects they resemblereptiles and birds. In the aquatic duck-bill (Fig. 333) the feet are webbed,with claws of moderate size. It is covered with a soft fur,and is a-bgut half a metre (17-33 inches)-long. Its habits 232 FIRST LESSONS IN are like those of a muskrat, frequenting rivers and pools inAustralia and Van Diemens Land, sleeping and breeding THE REPTILIAN MAMMALS. 233 in holes extending from under the water up aboTe its levelinto the hanks, and with an outlet on shore. It lives onmoUusks, worms, and water-insects. The spiny ant-eater (Fig. 234) inhabits Australia andNew Guinea. In this animal the tongue is long and slen-der, like that of the ant-eater, while the body is armed withquills like those of a porcupine, as well as hairs. Theclaws are very large and strong, adapted for tearing openant-hills in order to devour the ants. Not only do these singular quadrupeds in their structureresemble the reptiles, but, unlike other mammals, whoseeggs are of microscopic size, and which are born into theworld in a shape much like their parents, they lay eggs aslarge as those of some reptiles, and the young are born ina very rudimentary condition. Hence, we see that the low-liest mammals are connecting links between the r
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1894
