POUCHED QUADRUPEDS. 



477 



and dead flesh. Sometimes they get into houses, where their 

 voracity makes tliem very unwelcome guests. They do not climb 

 trees. 



, --Tt 



Fig. 403. — mouse opossum and yoiisg. 



The Phalangers {Phulangistx} are climbers, and are furnished 

 with a lar2:e opposable thumb. Iii their general form, they some- 

 what resemble squirrels ; some of them have the skin of tlieir flanks 

 extended between the fore and hind legs, so as to form a sort of 

 parachute, by the aid of which they take surprising leaps from one 

 tree to another ; these are called Flying Phalangers. 



Fig. 404.— roRMonsE phalaxger. 



The Bandicoots {Peramelidai) remind us of tlie Shrews and other 

 small insect-eating quadrupeds. They are said to live on insects, for 



