14 INTRODUCTION. 



a character which is conlinncd by the P. penicillata, small as it 

 comparatively is, being charged with killing fowls and other 

 birds. 



It might be thought that the PhnscogalcB would naturally 

 lead to the Antechini, but there is no real affinity between the 

 two groups. I find it most difficult to arrange the Australian 

 mammals in anything like a serial order; but the numerous 

 species forming the genera Antechinus and Podabrus are, per- 

 haps, as well placed here as elsewhere. Like the PeramcUdes, the 

 members of those genera inhabit every part of Australia and 

 the adjacent islands : the thick-tailed species, forming the genus 

 Podabrus, frequent the interior rather than the coast ; the Ante- 

 chiiti, on the*other hand, inhabit both districts ; and wherever 

 there are trees and shrubs, one or other of them may be found ; 

 some evince a partiality for the fallen boles lying on the ground, 

 while others run over the branches of those that are still 

 standing. 



I now approach a better-defined section of the Australian Mar- 

 supiata than any of the preceding — the nocturnal Phalangers. 

 These are divided into several genera — Phascolarctos, Pctaurista, 

 Belideus, Phidunijista, Ctisats, Acrobatcs, and Dromicia. The 

 extraordinary Koala is only found in the brushes of New South 

 Wales. It stands quite alone — the solitary species of its genus, 

 and it is well worth while to turn to my figures and description 

 of this anomalous Sloth among the Marsupials. The Petaiirista 

 are strictly brush-loving animals, and are almost entirely confined 

 to New South AVales ; some one or other of the Belidei, on the 

 other hand, is found in all other parts of the Australian con- 

 tinent (except perhaps its western portion), wherever there are 

 Eucalypti of sufficient magnitude for their branches to become 

 hollow spouts wherein these nocturnes may sleep during the 

 day. This form also occurs among the animals of the New 

 Guinea group of islands. The little Opossum Mouse, Acrobates 

 pygtrueus, is a general favourite with the colonists; and well it 

 may be so, for in its disposition it is as amiable as its form is 



