I consider there are two species of this genus existing:—first, _E. hystrix_, Desm., or Spiny Echidna, which is found on the mountain ranges in the colony of New South Wales; and the second, _E. Setosa_, Desm., or Bristly Echidna, which is found more common in Van Dieman’s Land. The first species attains a large size: it is stated in our works of natural history as being the size of a hedge-hog: my young specimen was fully that. At “Newington,” the residence of John Blaxland, Esq., I had an opportunity of seeing a specimen full fourteen inches long, and of proportionate circumference: it fed upon milk and eggs, the eggs boiled hard and chopped up small, with rice; its motion was heavy and slow; it was of a perfectly harmless disposition. When disturbed from its place of retreat, it would feed during the day; but was difficult to remove from the cask in which it was placed, on account of its firmly fixing itself at the bottom: it feeds, by thrusting out the tongue, to which organ the food is attached, and then withdrawing it. Mine moved about, and drank milk at night, taking little other food. After keeping it for nearly seven months, I found it one morning dead. There is an affection of the eye, which much prevails at this season of the year in the interior of the colony, attacking both European settlers and natives, and is called by the colonists the “blight:” it occurs only during the summer season: the attack is sudden, no doubt proceeding from the bite of a gnat, or some other insect. I had an opportunity of witnessing a case of this malady, which occurred in a native. The integuments surrounding the orbit were puffed up so much, as totally to close the eye, which was found much inflamed, as in acute ophthalmia, and attended with symptoms, in some degree similar, with severe itching and pricking pain, as if sand had been lodged in it, with a profuse flow of tears. This disease seldom continues for more than three days, even if no remedy be applied. A spirit lotion has been found the most beneficial application. Last summer every individual at one of the farms was attacked by it in both eyes, occasioning temporary blindness, and much inconvenience was experienced from all being attacked at the same period.[118]