THE TAGUAN PHALANGERS, » Tobi 
be regarded as a specially modified and volant relative of that 
group. 
I, TAGUAN FLYING PHALANGER. PETAUROIDES VOLANS. 
Didelphis volans, Kerr, Linn. Anim. Kingdom, p. 199 (1792). 
Phalanger volans, Lacépede, Mém. Inst., vol. iii, p. 491 
(1801). 
Petaurus taguanoides, P. macrurus, et P. peronii, Desmarest, 
Mouy-; Dict. d’Hist.. Nat., vol. xxv.,; pp. 400, 402, 404 
(1817). 
Petaurista taguanoides, Desmarest, Mamm., vol. i., p. 269 
(1820). 
Petauroides volans, Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 164 
(1888), 
(Plate XIV.) 
Characters.—F ur long, soft, and fluffy. General colour dark 
ashy-grey, varying from nearly black to pale whitish-grey. 
Ears very large, oval, and evenly rounded, with the inner sur- 
face completely naked, and the back covered with fur like that 
on the head. Under-parts white or pale yellowish. Limbs 
black or dark brown externally, white or pale grey on the inner 
surface ; feet thickly fringed with black hairs ; toes very thick; 
soles naked, with low, finely striated, and rounded pads. Tail 
ashy-grey or blackish, generally darkest terminally, with a short 
naked portion, which passes gradually into the haired region, 
and its surface less roughened. Length of head and body 
about 17 inches; of tail 20 inches. 
Distribution—Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria. 
Variety—Replaced in Central Queensland by a variety (7. 
minor) differing from the typical form by its inferior size, and 
the feeble development of the upper canine and first premolar 
teeth, the latter being minute, or even absent. Length of head 
and body about 12 inches ; of tail 18 inches. 
