﻿THE TRUE PHALANGERS. 91 



rug about eighty skins are required ; while it is said that as 

 many as one hundred and twenty have been used. 



Writing of some examples of this species formerly kept in 

 the Zoological Society's Gardens, Waterhouse observes that 

 "during the daytime they were usually asleep, but towards 

 evening they became active, and on the alert for their food, 

 consisting of bread-and-milk and various vegetable substances, 

 including fruits. Whatever eatable was given to them was 

 taken by and held between the hands in the same manner as 

 a Squirrel holds a nut. Occasionally a dead bird was given to 

 these animals, which were evidently fond of such food, and 

 most particularly the brain, which was the first part con- 

 sumed." 



II. SHORT-EARED PHALANGER. TRICHOSURUS CANINUS. 



Phalangisia cantna, Ogilby, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1835, p. 91. 

 Trichosuriis cani?ius, Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 191 

 (1888)- 



Characters. — Size large ; fur comparatively short ; ears short, 

 evenly rounded, not so long as broad. General colour clear 

 grizzled grey or deep umber-brown with a rufous tinge, paler 

 on the fore quarters, flanks, and under-parts, darker on the 

 hinder part of the back. Tail very thick and bushy, nearly 

 completely black. Length of head and body about 22 inches ; 

 tail 15 inches. 



Distribution. — New South Wales and Southern Queensland. 



Although closely allied to the preceding form, and more 

 especially to the Tasmanian variety, this Phalanger is readily dis- 

 tinguished by the markedly smaller size of its ears. It is said to 

 differ from the common species by inhabiting only the scrub, and 

 never frequents the open forest ; but whether there are other 

 differences in its habits has not been recorded. 



