34 PETAURUS. 



References. Thomas, B. M. Catal. p. 151, pi. xv. fig. 11 

 (palm) ; Gould, Mamrn. Austr. i. pi. xxiii. 



2. PETAURUS SCIUREUS, Shaw, sp. (1794). 



Squirrel-like Flying-Opossum. 



Size moderate. Fur soft and silky, slightly woolly. General 

 color above a soft pale gray, with a well defined dark brown or 

 black dorsal band ; below white with a tinge of yellow. Ears 

 rather variable in size, nearly naked inside, and terminally outside ; 

 a deep black patch present along their external bases, succeeded 

 posteriorly by a prominent white or pale yellow spot. Upper 

 surface of parachute dark brown or grayish, the edges fringed 

 with white or pale yellow. Hands and feet above white or pale 

 gray. Palms and soles much as in P. australis, as also is the 

 proportionate length of the toes. Tail moderate, very bushy, its 

 color above and below gray, darkening terminally into black. 

 Mammse (?) 



Dimensions. Head and body about ten inches ; tail about 

 eleven inches. 



Habitat. Eastern Australia from Queensland to Victoria. 



References. Thomas, B. M. Catal. p. 153 ; Gould, Mamm. 

 Austr. i. pi. xxiv. 



3. PETAURUS BREVICEPS, Waterhouse (1838). 

 Lesser Flying-Opossum. 



Size small. Fur soft and silky. General colors as in P. sciureus, 

 but with the dorsal band generally indistinct. Ears large. Length 

 of fore toes as follows 4, 5, 3, '2, 1. Tail markedly more bushy 

 basally. 



Dimensions. Head and body about seven inches ; tail about 

 eight inches. 



Habitat. Northern and eastern Australia. Tasmania (intro- 

 duced in 1835.} 



References. Thomas, B. M. Catal. p. 156, pis. xv. fig. 9 (ear); 

 xvi. figs. 9 (palatal view of skullj, 10 f dentition J ; Gould, Mamm. 

 Austr. i. pis. xxv. (P. breviceps), xxvi. (P. notatns), and xxvii. 

 (P. arielj. 



Genus VIIL GYMNOBELIDEUS, McCoy (1867). 



Size small. General appearance as in Petanrns. Ears larg'e, 

 naked, untufted. No flying-membrane. Toes of normal propor- 

 tions ; their respective lengths as follows 4, 3, 5, 2, 1. Claws 

 less developed than in Petaurus. Tail long, cylindrical, and 

 bushy. 



Cc 



