﻿EXTINCT PHALANGERS. 259 



from the superficial deposits of Queensland. Among these, 

 one fragment is regarded as belonging to a large extinct species 

 of the existing genus Pseitdochirus ; while a second is referred 

 to an allied but extinct genus termed ArchizGnunis ; and a 

 third is assigned to Phalanger. More interesting still are certain 

 specimens believed to belong to a large animal allied to the 

 living Koala, but, from certain supposed generic differences, 

 named Coalcenms. Far more satisfactory than the above-men- 

 tioned fragmentary specimens, are the well preserved remains 

 of the follow^ing genus, which indicates a distinct sub-family 

 {Thylacoleontince) of the Phalafi^;f7'id(E. 



GENUS THYLACOLEO. 



Thylacoleo, Owen, in Gervais's Zool. et Pal. Frangaises, ist 

 ed., pt. i., p. 192 (1849-52). 



I. THYLACOLEO CARNIFEX. 



Thylacoleo carnifex, Owen, Phil. Trans., 1859, p. 309; Lydek- 

 ker, Cat. Foss. Mamm., Brit. Mus., pt. v., p. 189 (18S7). 



The single representative of this genus was a gigantic 

 animal allied to the Phalangers, but distinguished by the pecu- 

 liarand specialised character of its dentition; the skull measuring 

 some eight or ten inches in length, and being remarkable for 

 its breadth, rounded form, and general massiveness, and for the 

 socket of the eye being completely surrounded by bone. 

 There are altogether thirty-two teeth, the first pair of incisors 

 in the upper jaw being of great size, and the canine arid two 

 anterior premolars small and functionless. In the lower jaw 

 there is a similar large single pair of first incisor teeth, which 

 are directed more upwardly than in existing members of the 

 family ; behind these come two minute premolars, followed by 

 an enormous cutting last premolar, which is of the same type 

 as the corresponding tooth of the existing Rat-Kangaroos, 



s 2 



