116 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
For a long time this well-marked species was mistaken for 
the young of Dromicia nana, until its distinctive features were 
pointed out by Mr. Thomas. Although externally the two are 
very similar, they present marked points of difference in the 
skull and teeth. 
THE PEN-TAILED PHALANGERS. GENUS DISTZCHURUS. 
Distechurus, Peters, Ann. Mus. Genova, vol. vi., p. 303 (1874). 
Size small; ears rather short, thinly haired, but with small 
tufts round the base ; no parachute-like expansion of skin on 
the flanks; toes of normal proportions; claws sharp and 
curved ; tail with the long hairs arranged in two opposite 
lateral rows Jike the vanes of a feather. Molar teeth three in 
number, small and rounded, with smooth unridged cusps; the 
last premolar very small in the upper, and wanting in the 
lower jaw. Two teats. 
PEN-TAILED PHALANGER. DISTHCHURUS PENNATUS. 
Phalangista (Distechurus) pennata, Peters, Ann. Mus. Genova, 
vol. vi., p. 303 (1874). 
Phalangista pennata, Ramsay, Proc. Linn. Soc., N. South 
Wales, vol. ii., p. 12 (1878). 
Distechurus pennatus, Thomas, Cat. Marsup. Brit. Mus., p. 
139 (1888). 
Characters.—Form very Dormouse-like ; fur soft, thick, and 
woolly. General coloration of head striped, of body dull. 
buff; under-parts white; face white, with two dark bands 
running from the sides of the muzzle through the eyes to 
between the ears. Naked portion of muzzle sharply defined, 
and pentagonal in shape. Outer sides of limbs like back, 
‘nner sides like under-parts ; soles of feet smooth, with low 
and rounded pads ; tail considerably longer than the head and 
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