﻿tHE URSiKE t)ASYURES. I53 



Use an Anglicised form of its scientific designation, as the 

 popular name of this animal. 



The Thylacine appears to be generally found among caverns 

 and rocks in the deep and almost impenetrable glens in the 

 neighbourhood of the highest mountains of Tasmania. Chiefly 

 nocturnal in their habits, these animals are dull and inactive on 

 the rare occasions when they show themselves by daylight, 

 moving with a slow pace, and incessantly blinking from the un- 

 accustomed light. Their cry appears to be limited to a dull 

 guttural growl ; and it seems that, unlike Wolves, they never 

 hunt in packs. Before the introduction of flocks into the 

 country, the Thylacine doubtless subsisted mainly on the smaller 

 Kangaroos and Wallabies, together with other Marsupials ; the 

 first known specimen, captured by Harris, having portions of a 

 spiny Anteater in its stomach. Sheep are, however, easier 

 animals to kill than Kangaroos, and consequently in the more 

 settled parts of the country the Thylacine soon took to sheep- 

 killing. Its depredations on the flocks are always effected 

 during the night-time ; and some idea of its ferocity may be 

 obtained from a statement of Gunn to the effect that in the 

 case of large old males even several dogs together will refuse 

 to make an attack. 



The female Thylacine usually produces four young ones at 

 a birth ; the presence of only four teats in the pouch of the 

 female indicating that this number must be the limit. 



THE URSINE DASYURES. GENUS SARCOPIIILUS . 



Sanophihis, F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. Mamm., vol. iv., pt. 70 



(1837)- 



Form very stout and powerful ; muzzle short and broad ; 



ears broad and rounded; tail moderate, evenly haired; feet 



plantigrade, the front ones with well-developed curved claws, 



and in the hinder p.iir the hallux wanting. Soles of hind feet 



