J\Fr. Harris's Description of two new Species of Didelphis, 175 



long callous heel, reaching to the knuckle. Tail much compressed, 

 and tapering to a point, covered with short smooth hair on the 

 upper part; sides and under part bare, as if worn by friction ; 

 not prehensile. Scrotum pendulous,' but partly concealed in a 

 small cavity or pouch in the abdomen. Penis projecting behind: 

 glans forked. 



The whole animal is covered with short smooth hair of a dusky 

 yellowish brown, paler on the under parts, and inclining to 

 blackish gray on the back. On the hind part of the backhand 

 rump are about 16 jet-black transverse stripes, broadest on the 

 back, and gradually tapering downwards, two of which extend 

 a considerable way down the thighs. 



On dissecting this quadruped, nothing particular was observed 

 in the formation of its viscera, &c, differing from others of its 

 genus. The stomach contained the partly digested remains of a 

 porcupine ant-eater, Myrmccophaga aculeata. 



The history of this new and singular quadruped is at present 

 but little known. Only two specimens (both males) have yet 

 been taken. It inhabits amongst caverns and rocks in the deep 

 and almost impenetrable glens in the neighbourhood of the 

 highest mountainous parts of Van Diemen's Land, where it pro- 

 bably preys on the brush Kangaroo, and various small animals 

 that abound in those places. That from which this description 

 and the drawing accompanying it were taken, was caught in a 

 trap baited with kangaroo flesh. It remained alive but a few 

 hours, having received some internal hurt in securing it. It from 

 time to time uttered a short guttural cry, and appeared exceed- 

 ingly inactive and stupid ; having, like the owl, an almost con- 

 tinual motion with the nic titan t membrane of the eye. 

 It is vulgarly called the Zebra Opossum, Zebra Wolf &c. 



Didelphis 



