KOALA. 365 



is plaintive, and unvaried, but by no means unpleasant, 

 and frequentl}^ repeated in three syllables." 



The Koala is tolerably abundant, and from 10,000 to 

 30,000 skins are imported annually. In 1889 the large 

 quantity of 300,000 were sold; and in 1890, 190,000. 

 The present value (1891) of a good skin is about 5d. to 

 Is. In 1871 and 1872, Is. 6d. was paid, but the price 

 fell later to 2^d. to od. These skins are made into 

 perambulator mats, sleeping and travelling bags, coats, 

 rugs, and many other articles for which a cheap, durable 

 fur is required. Some are dyed brown, and a few are 

 clipped and used for glove purposes. 



The skins from Sydne}' and other mountainous dis- 

 tricts are generallv large, fine, and light in colour. 



AUSTRALIAN OPOSSUM. 



Phalangista nd2)ina. 



French : Opossum d'Australie. German : Australischer 

 Opossum. 



This abundant and well-known animal is also called 

 the Yulpine Phalanger. It is found in the greater part of 

 Australia ; it lives on the great blue gum trees of this 

 continent ; and, as it is nocturnal in its habits, it is 

 usually shot on bright moonlight nights, when its posi- 

 tion can be most easily perceived. 



The Australian Opossum, like the Musk-rat, Skunk, and 

 American Opossum, seems to have increased in the last 

 few years ; it mcreases in semi-settled countries, living on 

 the corn crops, fruit trees, etc., mtroduced by the new- 

 comers, which give these semi-wild animals a better 

 supply of food. 



