﻿THE WOMBATS. I 27 



ment, it appears that the female usually produces from three 

 to four young at a birth, which are tended with great care and 

 solicitude, until such time as they are able to shift for them- 

 selves. By no means active in their movements, and shuffling 

 along with an awkward gait which calls to mind the progression 

 of a young Bear, the Wombats are gentle and somewhat stupid 

 in disposition, even at times allowing themselves to be captured 

 and carried off without making the least attempt at resistance. 

 If, however, their anger be once roused, they can bite fiercely, 

 and inflict severe wounds. Although both the Common Wom- 

 bat and the Tasmanian species utter no sound but a kind of 

 hiss, the next species is said to give vent to a kind of groan. 



Writing of the habits in captivity of one of the first examples 

 brought to England, Sir Everard Home observes that the 

 animal " burrowed in the ground whenever it had an oppor- 

 tunity, and covered itself in the earth with surprising quickness ; 

 it was very quiet during the day, but constantly in motion in 

 the night ; was very sensible of cold ; ate all kinds of vege- 

 tables, but was particularly fond of new hay, which it ate stalk 

 by stalk, taking it into its mouth like a Beaver, by small bits 

 at a time. It was not wanting in intelligence, and appeared 

 attached to those to whom it was accustomed, and who were 

 kind to it. When it saw them, it would put up its fore paws on 

 their knees, and when taken up would sleep in the lap. It 

 allowed children to pull and carry it about, and when it bit 

 them, it did not appear to do it in anger, or with violence." 

 It may be added that although this account was written as far 

 back as 1808, it does not appear that fresh observations have 

 been recorded. 



Although in appearance the flesh of the Wombat is red and 

 coarse, in its fatness and flavour it has been compared to pork. 

 From the harshness and coarseness of the fur, the skin is only 

 available for leather. 



