1 66 MARSUPIALIA 



branches of large trees, and feeding on the bark, leaves, and fruit. 

 They are confined to the tropical forests of the regions mentioned ; 

 and it would appear that we must regard their resemblance in the 

 proportions of the limbs and habits to the Phalangers as having 

 been independently acquired. 



Dorcopsiz. 1 — Hind limbs relatively less large than in Macropu*. 

 Muffle large, broad, and naked. Ears small. Fur on nape directed 

 wholly or partially forwards. Hind claws not concealed by hair. 

 Tail with a nearly naked tip. Skull long and narrow, with the 

 auditory bullae not inflated. A well-developed canine. First upper 

 incisor somewhat short ; second and third nearly equal, notched 

 externally. Fourth premolar greatly elongated antero-posteriorly, 

 its length generally exceeding the united lengths of the first and 

 second molars ; a distinct inner ledge, and vertical grooves on both 

 sides. Molars low and rounded, with the median longitudinal 

 bridge between the ridges almost or quite aborted, and the talon in 

 front of the first transverse ridge very narrow, and not extending 

 to the inner side. The two series of cheek-teeth parallel, or nearly 

 so, instead of converging at the extremities. 



Three species of this genus are known, all of Avhich are from 

 New Guinea ; the type being D. muclleri. In the characters of the 

 dentition, the forward inclination of the fur on the nape, and other 

 points, this genus is allied to Dendrolagus ; but Dorcopsis macleayi 

 connects the other species with Mavropus. 



Lagorchestes.' 2 — Muffle entirely or partially covered with hair. 

 Fourth hind digit with a long claw, not concealed by hair. Tail 

 rather short, evenly furred, without a spur. Skull with short 

 muzzle and diastema, and inflated auditory bulla. Canine present, 

 sometimes very small. Fourth premolar large, not constricted in 

 the middle, with a continuous inner ledge. 



This genus includes the Hare - Kangaroos, a group of small 

 hare-like animals, great leapers and swift runners, which mostly 

 affect the open grassy ridges, particularly those of a stony character, 

 sleeping in forms or seats like the common hare. Their limbs are 

 comparatively small, their claws sharp and slender, and their muffle 

 is clothed with velvet-like hairs. Three species — M. leporoides, M. 

 /nrsutiis, M. conspicillatux. 



The range extends over the whole of Australia, but does not 

 embrace Tasmania. 



Onychogale. 3 — Muffle hairy. Fourth hind claw long, narrow, 

 compressed, and sharp. Tail long and tapering, covered with short 

 hair, and furnished at the tip with a horny spur. Skull nearly as in 

 Macropus, with the auditory bullae more or less inflated. Canine 



1 Schlegel and MLiller, Vcrh. Nat. Gcs. Ncderland, p. 130 (1839-44). 



- Gould, Monograph of Macropodid(c,\>\. xiii. (1S41). 



3 Gray, in Greys Australia, vol. ii. appendix, p. 402 (1841). 



