104 Mr. Gunn's Notices of some Mammalia 



an inference should not thence be drawn that they only live on 

 the sea coast, and feed on dead seals, &c. I know of no spe- 

 cies that exclusively inhabits the sea coast. The devil is de- 

 structive to sheep all over the colony, and is indeed the most 

 destructive of our indigenous quadrupeds, the Thylacinus 

 being much scarcer. The D. ursinus is nocturnal, very fierce, 

 and a match for an ordinary dog ; they bite very severely. 



5. (Dasyurus Viverrinus,) the Native Cat of Van Diemen's 

 Land. — Of this animal I think there are many species, differ- 

 ing in size, colour, &c. {Dasyurus Maugei :) they are very de- 

 structive to poultry throughout the colony, entering fowl- 

 houses by the smallest aperture, and killing an immense num- 

 ber ; they only suck the blood, and rarely, if ever, are known 

 to carry off the bodies. 



7. Hydromys chrysogaster, Water Rat. — I am ignorant of 

 its habits. Found in rivers and streams. 



9. Echidna, — I have only sent home one miserable speci- 

 men of this animal. It is common in some parts of the colony, 

 and I am informed by* those who have eaten them that they 

 are excellent food. They are harmless. 



10. Kangaroo. — Of this genus I know four species in Van 

 Diemen's Land, or perhaps there may be more. The speci- 

 men sent is the species known in Van Diemen's Land by the 

 name of " Wallaby." I shall however to a certain extent de- 

 scribe all. First, the forest kangaroo (Macropus major, Shaw,) 

 called also the " boomer," (from the heavy sound in jumping, 

 I presume,) the " forester," and various other names. It is 

 a very large species, frequently exceeding 70lbs. weight ; the 

 colour very light mouse colour. It exists on the top of the 

 Western Mountains, and in the more remote parts. On the 

 Western Mountains I saw them in great numbers, and the 

 country being perfectly open I had some beautiful hunting ; 

 but in some cases they completely outstripped the kangaroo 

 dogs, which are a cross between the greyhound for speed and 

 bull-dog for strength. I had a tame one which allowed my 

 children to play with it, and was extremely docile. The tail 

 is not used in progression, although universally asserted; in 

 leaping they usually hold it out pretty horizontal, but never 

 as a third limb. Indeed, in defence, the hind legs alone are 



