﻿THE DORMOUSE-PHALANGERS. IT3 



the minute size of the fourth premolar, which is not larger than 

 the other teeth of the same series. 



Distribution.— South and West Australia. 



Habits. — In size rather inferior to the common English Dor- 

 mouse, this beautiful little creature is abundantly and generally 

 distributed over the Swan river district. Being strictly noc- 

 turnal in its habits, it secretes itself, according to Gould's 

 account, during the day in the hollows of trees, and at night 

 leaves its retreat for the flowering branches of low shrubby 

 trees. At night it is very active, and when in confinement will 

 then leap across its cage in pursuit of insects. Another ob- 

 server states that it is found under the dead bark of eucalpytus 

 and other trees, and in holes in trees that have been excavated 

 by fire. In such situations, if due caution be observed, it may 

 readily be captured by the hand. 



II. COMMON DORMOUSE-PHALANGER. DROMICIA NANA. 



Phalangista nana, Desmarest, Nouv. Diet. d'Hist. Nat., vol. 



XXV., p. 477 (181 7). 

 Phalajigista gliriforrnis. Bell, Trans. Linn. Soc, vol. xvi., p. 121 



(1828). 

 Dromicia nana, Gray, in Grey's Australia, Appendix, vol. ii., 



p. 401 (i 841) ; Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 144 



(1888). 

 Dromicia unicolor, Krefft, Proc. ZooL, 1863, P- 49- 



[Plate XVII.) 



Characters.— Size large ; form rather thick and clumsy; fur 

 thick, soft, and somewhat woolly ; nose naked, finely granu- 

 lated. General colour uniform dull fawn ; under-parts slaty, 

 with the tips of the hairs white ; dark eye-mark indistinct. Ears 

 2 J 



