Cert ill }i New Species of Marsupials. 7 



T. ^.^. . 1.2.3.4 1 ^ 1.0.3.4 1.2.3.4 



Dentition z. —-——- . c. -. p.m. — . jn. 



1.2.3 1 ^ 1.0.3.0 1.2.3.4 



The dentition is somewhat similar to that of such a Phascolo- 



gale as Ph. apicalis. Canines long and strong. That in the 



upper jaw measuring 3-4 mm. In the immature form the upper 



p^ is wanting, in somewhat older specimen it is about the size of 



^^, both of them being smaller than p'''- Lower /^ quite 



wanting. Presumably there is no milk upper Z^- 



Dimensions of Adult Male (in al.). 



Head and body ... ... 182 mm. 



Tail .. ... ... 130 „ 



Ear ... ... ... 18 „ 



Hind foot ... ... 38 „ 



Habitat. — Central Australia. Charlotte Waters. Terrestrial ; 

 burrowing ; insectivorous. Nocturnal. I have much pleasure 

 in associating with this species the name of Mr. P. M. Byrne. 



I have felt considerable hesitation in assigning this species to 

 a new genus, but after a careful examination of the seven 

 specimens (six males and one female) now in my possession, I 

 have come to the conclusion that, as the genera of the family 

 Dasyuridfe stand at present, no other course is possible. It is 

 undoubtedly closely allied to the genera Phascologale and Smin- 

 thopsis, and shows at the same time an approach towards 

 Dasyurus. The relationship to the two former are shown in the 

 following points : — 



(1) The general form of the body closely resembles that of the 

 larger Phascologales or of a very small Dasyurus, and is very 

 different from that of even the largest Sminthopsis. 



(2) The shape of the hind foot is neither that of a Phascologale 

 nor of a Sminthopsis. Judging by the length only (the one 

 dimension given in descriptions) it might naturally be supposed 

 that the foot was similar in proportions to such a form as 

 Ph. ivallncei. This, however, is far from being the case, as the 

 foot of Dasyitroides byrnei is very much narrower than that of 

 Ph. wallacei., and the two, when drawings of both of them ai"e 

 compared, are seen to belong to entirely different types of feet. 

 The pads also on the soles are quite unlike those of typical 



