﻿146 Allen's naturallst's library. 



area separated from that of the others by a vvide stretch of sea, 

 it may be provisionally allowed to rank as a species. 



THE PIG-FOOTED BANDICOOTS. GENUS CITQ'.ROPUS. 

 Chceropus^ Ogilby, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1838, p. 25. 



Form light and slender ; muzzle short and narrow ; ears 

 long and narrow; fore feet with the first and fifth digits 

 wanting, the fourth rudimentary, and the second and third 

 fully developed, with long, slender claws ; hind feet with the 

 first toe (hallux) wanting, the fifth rudimentary, and the fourth 

 very large ; tail cylindrical, slightly crested along the upper 

 surface. Eight teats. Five pairs of upper, and three of lower 

 incisor teeth. 



The single Australian representative of this remarkable 

 genus is approached, observes Mr. Thomas, both in general 

 external appearance, and in the structure of the skull, by 

 Gunn's Bandicoot and its allies, from which group it may 

 therefore probably be regarded as a specialised offshoot. "Its 

 distinction as a genus is, however, unquestionable, even if it 

 were not for the unique and peculiar structure of its fore feet, 

 which have such a striking resemblance to those of the Pig as 

 to have gained for the only species its common English name 

 of Pig-footed Bandicoot." 



I. PIG-FOOTED BANDICOOT. CHCEROPUS CASTANOTIS. 



ChmropiiS ecaudatus, Ogilby, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1838, p. 25. 

 Chmropus castanotis, Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ix., 



p. 42 (1842); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 250 



(1888). 

 Chceropiis occidentalism Gould, Mamm. Australia, vol. i., pi. vl 



(i«45). 



