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XI. Description of a new Genus of Mammiferous Animals from Australia, belonging 
probably to the Order Marsupialia. By Grorce R. Wateruovuse, Esq., Curator to 
the Zoological Society. Communicated by the Secretary. 
Read December 18, 1836. 
Havine, at different times, brought before the notice of the Society two specimens 
of a small quadruped, apparently undescribed, I will now endeavour to point out its 
generic and specific characters ; but before I proceed, it will be as well, perhaps, to 
state what is known of the history of the two specimens in question. 
The first was procured by Lieutenant Dale, of Liverpool, whilst on an exploring party 
in the interior of the country at the Swan River settlement, and was discovered about 
ninety miles to the south-east of the mouth of that river. 
“Two of these animals,” says Lieutenant Dale, ‘‘ were seen within a few miles of 
each other ; they were first observed on the ground, and on being pursued, both di- 
rected their flight to some hollow trees which were near. We succeeded in capturing 
one of them; the other was unfortunately burnt to death in our endeavour to dislodge 
it by fumigating the hollow tree in which it had taken refuge. The country in which 
they were found, abounded in decayed trees and ant-hills.” The second individual, I 
am informed, was found in Van Diemen’s Land'; and others similar to it have been 
seen in the act of burrowing or digging at the roots of trees in search after insects. 
The favourite haunts are stated to be in those situations in which the Port Jackson 
willow abounds. 
To the genus of which the present animal constitutes the type, I propose the title of 
Myrmecobius*. 
Genus Myrmecosivs. 
Dentes incisores aH canini Apel pseudo-molares need , molares o— — Ls 
; 6 = R=3 — 
Pedes antici 5-dactyli; digitis tribus intermediis longioribus ; postici 4-dactyli; digitis 
duobus intermediis interiore longioribus ; externo brevissimo ; unguibus longis, 
subacutis, subfalcalaribus ; scelides antepedibus longiores. Caput elongatum, rhi- 
nario producto. Auricule mediocres, ad apicem angustiores et subacute. Corpus 
gracile. Cauda mediocris. Digiti liberi. 
' T cannot help suspecting there is some mistake in this statement, which, it must be observed, I have not 
received directly from the person who first procured the specimen ; indeed it has probably passed through many 
hands. Accompanying this specimen there was a skin of another animal (the Perameles Lagotis of Reid) a 
specimen of which is in Lord Derby’s Museum. This his Lordship received from Swan River. 
* Muppné, an ant; Bus, life, food, &c. 
