MARSUPIAL MOLE 159 



We may regard as family-characters the pentadactyle limbs, the 

 existence of three pairs of incisors in the lower and four in the 

 upper jaw ; and the tritubercular nature of the upper molars. 

 Notoryctes typhlops, the " Marsupial Mole " as it has been termed, 

 was originally discovered by Professor Stirling in Central South 

 Australia. It is a burrowing creature, clothed in a silky fur of a 

 pale golden red, without external ears. It has been compared in 

 appearance with Chrysocliloris, the Cape Golden Mole, and the 

 eminent palaeontologist, Professor Cope, has even insisted upon a 

 real genetic affinity. Edentate affinities have also been suggested. 

 But Notoryctes has a small pouch opening backwards as in other 

 Polyprotodonts, 1 and as it also possesses marsupial bones it must 



* 



FIG. 88. Australian Marsupial Mole. Notoryctes typhlops. x \. 



undoubtedly be referred to the Marsupialia. The animal shows 

 many curious adaptations to its underground mode of life. 

 Certain of the vertebrae in the neck and in the lumbar 

 region are firmly welded together, giving of course a strength 

 of push, and suggesting the Armadillos ; the claws of the third 

 and fourth front-toes are greatly enlarged, and must be efficient 

 digging organs. The track of the animal is like that of a rail- 

 way in mountainous country ; it burrows for a short distance, 

 emerges, and then descending beneath the surface re-emerges. 

 The red colour of the fur is said to be in harmony with the 

 arid soil in which it lives. The native name of the creature is 

 " Urquamata." It feeds upon ants and other insects. 



Extinct Polyprotodonts. Of extinct Polyprotodonts (apart 

 from those Mesozoic forms which are considered on p. 100) 

 extinct species of Thylacinus and Dasyurus are known from 



1 The male, according to Professor Spencer, has a rudimentary pouch. 



