114 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
large, narrow, evenly oval. Limbs grey, with the fore feet 
brown, and the hinder ones whitish. ‘Tail rather long, with the 
basal inch thickened. Length of head and body about 4 inches; 
of tail rather more. 
Distribution. Tasmania. 
Habits.— This elegant little Phalanger, according to Gould, is 
more especially abundant in the northern districts of Tasmania 
than elsewhere in the country ; and of all trees it apparently 
prefers the Banksias, whose numerous blossoms supply it with 
an unfailing supply of honey and insects. During the day it 
generally lies coiled up asleep in some crevice dr hollow branch. 
During the winter months it becomes less active, and under 
goes a kind of hibernation, although less complete than in the 
case of the Dormouse. 
Writing from observations made on specimens kept in cap- 
tivity, Bell observes that in their habits these little Phalangers 
‘are extremely like the Dormouse, feeding on nuts and other 
similar food, which they hold in their fore paws, using them as 
hands. They are nocturnal, remaining asleep during the whole 
day, or, if disturbed, not easily roused to a state of activity ; 
and coming forth late in the evening, and then assuming their 
natural rapid and vivacious habits, they run about a small 
tree which is placed in their cage, using their paws to hold by | 
the branches, and assisting themselves by their prehensile tail, 
which is always held in readiness to support them, especially 
when in a descending attitude. Sometimes the tail is thrown 
in a reverse direction, turned over the back, and at other times, 
when the weather is cold, it is rolled closely up towards the 
under-part, and coiled up almost between the thighs. When 
eating, they sit upon the hind quarters, holding the food in 
their fore paws, which, with the face, are the only parts ap- 
parently standing out from the ball of fur, of which the body 
