104 MAMMALIA. 



six inferior incisors, and behind the canines four compressed molars in each jaw, and finally four small 

 molars above, and five below, the latter pectinated internally in consequence of the irregularity of 

 attrition ; the canine of the lower jaw is much incurved. Tbe form of this animal is similar to that of 

 a Squirrel, but with a long and pointed muzzle, as in the Banxring : it has no thumb to the hind-foot. 



The Banded Myrmecobe (M.fasciata, Waterh.) — Size of a Rat, and barred on the crupper similarly to the Thy- 

 lacine, but with white bands on a reddish ground tint. The only specimens at present known were procured at 

 Swan River settlement, Australia. This animal has been supposed to present the nearest living approach to the 

 fossil Thylacotherium of the secondary lias.] 



The Bandicoots (Perameles, Geof. ; Thylacis, Illig.) — 

 Have the hinder thumb short, as in the first Dasyures, and the two following toes joined by the skin as 

 far as the claws; the thumb and little toe of their fore-feet are reduced to simple tubercles, so that 

 tbere seem to be only three toes : the superior incisive teeth are ten in number, the most hindward 

 pointed, and widely separated from the rest ; below there are only six, [the posterior bilobate] ; but 

 their molars are the same as in the Opossums, [though less angular internally]. Their tail is hairy, 

 and not prehensile. They inhabit Australia. The great claws of their fore-feet, almost straight, 

 announce the habit of digging into the ground, and their rather long hind-feet that their gait is rapid. 

 [Their ccecum is of middle size, as in the Opossums, to which they are approximated by Prof. Owen.] 



The Long-nosed Bandicoot (P. nasutas, Geof.)— Muzzle very much elongated; the ears pointed ; fur a greyish 

 brown. It resembles, at the first glance, a Tenrec. The P. obesula, Geof., is not so authentic. [The latter is 

 now well established, as also another, P. Gunnii, from Van Diemen's Land, which is very generally diffused 

 throughout that island ; it lives principally on bulbs, but also on insects. Two or three more have been indi- 

 dicated, one of which, P. lagotis, Reid, is ranged by Prof. Owen as 



The Philander {Thalacomys, Owen), — 



The superior hindward incisor of which is close to the others, and the muzzle very long, and abruptly 



attenuated : auditory bullae remarkably large, and divided posteriorly. The ears long, and the tail also 



long and bushy. 



The only known species (Per. lagotis, Reid)— is a nimble-looking and handsome animal ; greyish, and as large 

 as the common Opossum. From New South Wales.] 



In the second subdivision of Marsupials, there are two large and long incisors in the lower 

 jaw, with pointed and trenchant edges sloping forwards, and six corresponding teeth in the 

 upper one. The superior canines are still long and pointed ; hut those of the lower jaw are so 

 small that they are often hidden in the gum : in the last subgenus there are even none below. 



Their regimen is in great part frugivorous ; hence their intestines, and particularly the 

 ccecum, are much longer than in the Opossums. They have all a large thumb, so separated 

 from the other digits that it seems directed backward as in Birds : it has no nail, and the two 

 following fingers are joined by the skin as far as the last phalanx. It is from this circum- 

 stance that they have derived their name of 



Phalangers (Phalangista, Cuv.) 



The Restricted Phalangers (Balantia, Illig.) — 



Have not the skin of the flank extended : they have on each jaw four back molars, all of which present 

 individually four points, ranged in two rows ; and before these a large one, conically compressed ; also, 

 between this and the upper canine, two small and pointed teeth, to which correspond the very small 

 teeth below, of which we have spoken : their tail is always prehensile. 



In some it is in great part scaly. They inhabit trees in the Molucca islands, where they feed on 

 insects and fruit. At the sight of a man they suspend themselves by the tail ; and if he gazes at them 

 steadily for some time, they fall through lassitude. They diffuse an offensive odour, notwithstanding 

 which their flesh is eaten. 



Several species are known, of various size and colours, all of which are comprehended under the Didelphis 

 orientalis of Linnaeus. [Those in which the tail is partly scaly are peculiar to the Molucca islands, aud constitute 

 the division Cuscus of some systematists. Five are enumerated by the author, who follows Temminck.] 



In others, which have hitherto been found in New Holland only, the tail is hairy to the tip. 



