42 THE POUCHED ANIMALS 



The bandicoots are singular little creatures bearing 

 some resemblance to kangaroos. They are found in 

 Australia and Tasmania. Some, as the choeropus, re- 

 semble pygmy deer and have remarkable feet, all the toes, 

 except the fore ones, being very small ; the animal walk- 

 ing upon two toes of each fore foot This strange creature 

 burrows in the ground. It is a timid little creature, pre- 

 senting a strong contrast to the Tasmanian wolf (Fig. 30, 3), 

 a handsome carnivorous animal with a long tail, wolflike 

 head, and marked stripes across the back. The latter 

 is a night lover, and when exposed to daylight a third 

 eyelid can be seen working backward and forward over 

 the sensitive eye. It lives in inaccessible places and is 

 rarely captured. 



Of somewhat similar habit is the Tasmanian devil (Fig. 

 30, 2), an animal confined to Australia and somewhat resem- 

 bling the badger, though more ugly and bearlike. There 

 are few animals that are not susceptible to taming, but the 

 Tasmanian devil is one exception. When in confinement 

 it retires into the farthest corner and snarls at all comers, 

 utterly repudiating any advances that may be made. 

 When Hobart Town was first settled, the animals were 

 very common. They preyed upon the poultry of the 

 settlers, and were killed and eaten by the convicts. They 

 are nocturnal, and when confined occupy their time in 

 fighting. 



The wombat (Fig. 30, i) is about two feet in length, with 

 a rudimentary tail, a short neck, and a very large head for 

 so small an animal. Its legs are short, giving it a singu- 

 lar, waddling walk. The wombat lives in burrows, which it 

 digs with its powerful claws. It feeds upon roots, having 



