BY R. BROOM. 59 



of Macropus. There are also innumerable remains of Bush Rats 

 (}fus sp.) which I have not had an opportunity of identifying with 

 certainty. Of birds there have been found the perfect cranium 

 of one about the size of a Sparrow and some small bones, while 

 of lizards there occur the x'emains of a moderate sized member 

 of the Sciticidc/'. 



CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 



Though a few of the forms found in the deposit are still 

 surviving, the general character of the fauna is very diflferent 

 from that of recent times. With the exception of Thylacinus, 

 the Macropus and the Echidna, the animals may almost all be 

 classed as feeble and defenceless, and have apparently flourished 

 owing to the absence or scarcity of natural enemies. Di'omicia, 

 Falceojjetaurus and Biirramys were probably all of very similar 

 habits, the conditions suitable to the one being equally so to the 

 others, while those inimical to any would probably tend to the 

 destruction of all. The two species of I'hascologale, though 

 probably suffering from the same adverse condition which has 

 destroyed the small Diprotodonts, have been less affected and 

 able to survive. The cause of the destruction of the smaller 

 forms is probabl}' to be found in the introduction into their midst 

 of some common enemy. A glance at the recent fauna of the 

 district suggests a not improbable explanation of the change. 

 To-day the forms which may be said to be numerous are Tricho- 

 surus vafpeciila, Phascolarctus cinereun, Dasyurus viverrmus, D. 

 mactdatus, and Macropus iialabatus. All these are absent from 

 the deposit, and though their absence does not prove that they 

 were not then in the district, it may safely be taken to indicate 

 that they were at least rare. The absence of the common 

 Phalanger for example could not have been due to unfavourable 

 conditions, as the abundant remains of the species of Ring-tailed 

 Phalanger show there must have been plenty of suitable trees. 

 The conclusion thus seems probable that 'I'richosn.rus is a com- 

 paratively recent addition to the local fauna. If it could be 

 proved that with it came the Dasyures we would have at once a 



