﻿THE DASYURES. 1 65 



the Structure of the pads on its feet, this species is probably 

 largely terrestrial in its habits. 



V. NORTH AUSTRALIAN DASYURE. DASYURUS HALLUCATUS. 



Dasyurus hallucatiis^ Gould, Proc. Zool, Soc, 1842, p. 41 ; 

 Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 269 (1888). 



Characters. — Size small, not more than half the bulk of D. 

 viverri7ius ; form slender ; fur short and coarse. General 

 colour yellowish-brown, spotted with white ; under-parts pale 

 grey or yellow. Ears large, thinly clothed with fine yellow hairs. 

 Hind foot with the first toe (hallux) ; soles of feet with smooth, 

 well-defined, and transversely striated pads. Tail long, rather 

 short-haired, at the base coloured like the body, but unspotted, 

 elsewhere black. Eight teats. Length of head and body 

 about II inches ; of tail 8 inches. 



Distribution. — Tropical Australia. 



This species, which derives its name from the presence of 

 the first toe or hallux in the hind foot, differs from the two 

 preceding ones, and thereby resembles the next, in its distinct 

 transversely striated foot-pads, which may be taken as an 

 indication of its arboreal habits. In its small size, slender 

 ouild, and the structure of the hind feet, it makes a certain 

 approach to the members of the next genus, although in other 

 respects it agrees with the typical Dasyures. The near relation- 

 ship of this species to the next affords another instance of the 

 affinity between the fauna of North Australia and New 

 Guinea. 



VI. PAPUAN DASYURE. DASYURUS ALBOPUNCTATUS. 



Dasyurus albopimctatus^ Schlegel, Notes Leyden, Mus., vol. ii,, 

 p. 51 (1880); Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 271 

 (1888). 



