﻿PHASCOLONUS. 265 



FAMILY PHASCOLOMYID.^ {supra, y. 122). 



GENUS PHASCOLOMYS {si^prd. p. 124). 



In addition to remains of the two existing forms, several ex- 

 tinct species of Wombat have been described from the super- 

 ficial deposits of Australia, but since these do not present any 

 features of special interest, they will not be further mentioned 

 htre. 



GENUS PITASCOLONUS. 

 Phascolonits, Owen, Phil. Trans., 1872, p. 257. 



PHASCOLONUS GIGAS. 



Phascolomys gigas, Owen, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 8th ed., 



vol. xvii., p. 175 (1859). 

 Phasiolonus gigas^ Owen, Phil. Trans., 1872, p. 257 ; L}dekker, 



Cat. Foss. Mamm. Brit. Mus., pt. v., p. 157 (1887). 



This species was far larger than any existing A\"ombat, and 

 may be compared m size to a Tapir. It is at present doubtful 

 if it be really entitled to generic separation from Phascolomys, 

 the writer having once urged the necessity for such separation 

 in the belief that the teeth mentioned under the next heading 

 belonged to it. 



Dr. Stirling states that several skeletons; probably belonging 

 to this species, which he compares in size to a Bullock, have 

 been disinterred in the salt-deposit in South Australia, men- 

 tioned under the head of Diprotodon. It is to be hoped tliat 

 these specimens will definitely decide the question as to the 

 nature of the upper incisors ; the lower ones are very similar 



