MARSUPTATA. 



103 



.' 



The Yapach {Did. palmata, Geof. ; Lutra memina, Bodd, fig. 42) frequents the rivers of Guiana. 



All the other Marsupials inhabit eastern 

 countries, and especially New Holland ; a 

 land of which the mammiferous population 

 seems even to consist principally of ani- 

 mals of this group. 



[The three next genera, and probably 

 the fourth, possess no caecum.] 



^ 





The Thylacines (Thylacmw, Tern.) — 



Arc the largest of this first division : they 

 are distinguished from the Opossums by 



the hind-feet having no thumb, by a hairy 

 and jiot prehensile tail, and two incisors 

 less to each jaw ; their molars are of the 

 same number. They have accordingly 

 forty-six teeth ; but the external edge of 

 Fig. 42.— The Y.ipach. tne tnree large ones is projecting and 



trenchant, almost like the carnivorous tooth of a Dog : their ears are hairy, and of middle size. 



But one [living] species is known, a native of Van Diemen's Land.— Size that of a 'small] Wolf, but lower on the 

 legs; of a greyish colour, barred with black across the crupper (Did. cynoeephala, Harris). It is very carnivorous, 

 I "id pm -iii's all small quadrupeds. [This animal does not fish, as has been stated ; nor is its tail compressed : it 

 is principally nocturnal, and is called Tiger and. Hyama in its native island.] A. fossil species of Thylacine has 

 been found in the gypsum quarries of Paris. 



The Phascogales (Phascoyale, Tern.) — 



Have the same number of teeth as the Thylacines ; but their middle incisors are longer than the 

 others, and their back molars more sharply tuberculated, in which respect they rather approximate the 

 Opossums. They are also allied to them by their small size ; the tail, however, is not prehensile : 

 their posterior thumbs, though very short, are stili distinctly apparent. 



[Four species are now known, varying from the size of a Rat to that of a Mouse: they inhabit New Holland and 

 Van Diemen's Land, where they live on trees, and pursue insects.] 



The Dasyukes (Dasyurvs, Geof.) — 



Have two incisors and four grinders in each jaw less than the Opossums, so that they have only forty- 

 two teeth ; and their tail, everywhere covered with long hairs, is not prehensile. The hinder thumb 

 is reduced to a mere tubercle, or even quite disappears, [as in the Thylacine]. They inhabit New 

 Holland, and subsist on insects and dead carcases; they even penetrate into houses, where their 

 voracity is very inconvenient. Their mouth is not so wide*, and the muzzle [much] less pointed, than 

 in the Opossums; their ears also are shorter, and hairy. They do not ascend trees. 



The Ursine Dasyure (Did. vriina, Harris). — Long coarse black hairs, with some white mark milts; the tail 

 l alf as long as the body, almost naked underneath. Inhabits the north of Van Diemen's Land, and is 

 nearly the size of a Badger. [This species, which is of common occurrence, ia designated in Van Diemen's Land 



the Devil .- it is nocturnal, and very destructive to SI p, of a fierce disposition, bitea sen erely, and is a match mr 



an ordinary Do::: in common with the rest of its tribe, including the Thylacyar, it often sits on its haunches, and 



cleans its head with its fore-pa 



The long-tailed Dasyure (Dai. maerounu, Geof.) SHseofaCat, with the tail as ionir as the body ; fur brown, 

 • d with white both on the bod) and tail. The tubercle of the thumb ia still well marked in tins species, but 

 i the following it can no more be seen. 



Mange?i Dasyure (Dai. Maugii,( eof.) Rather smaller than the preceding, of an nine colour, spotted with 

 white both on the body and tail; and lastly, l>i'i. viverrina, sha« ; winch i^ black, spotted with white, and do - 



on the tail j a third Less than the tirst. [These are stOltheonl] ascertained species, tl gh it is probable thai ol 



dn confounded. The last is termed Wild Cat in Van Diemen's Land, and is verj destructive to poultry, <•< 

 which it onlj sucks the blood. These animals apply the entire sole of the hind-fool to the ground when standing, 



The M yumkchiu. (Myrmecobhu, Waterh.) — 

 Has the greatest number of teeth n( any known marsupial, fifty-two in all; namely, eight upper ami 



• I tmve been much MtouUbid en witnculnf lb< i — Kn. 



