THE URSINE DASYURES. 153 
use an Anglicised form of its scientific designation, as the 
popular name of this animal. 
The Thylacine appears to be generally found among caverns 
and rocks in the deep and almost impenetrable glens in the 
neighbourhood of the highest mountains of Tasmania. Chiefly 
nocturnal in their habits, these animals are dull and inactive on 
the rare occasions when they show themselves by daylight, 
moving with a slow pace, and incessantly blinking from the un- 
accustomed light. Their cry appears to be limited to a dull 
guttural growl; and it seems that, unlike Wolves, they never 
hunt in packs. Before the introduction of flocks into the 
country, the Thylacine doubtless subsisted mainly on the smaller 
Kangaroos and Wallabies, together with other Marsupials; the 
first known specimen, captured by Harris, having portions of a 
spiny Anteater in its stomach. Sheep are, however, easier 
animals to kill than Kangaroos, and consequently in the more 
settled parts of the country the Thylacine soon took to sheep- 
killing. Its depredations on the flocks are always effected 
during the night-time ; and some idea of its ferocity may be 
obtained from a statement of Gunn to the effect that in the 
case of large old males even several dogs together will refuse 
to make an attack. 
The female Thylacine usually produces four young ones at 
a birth ; the presence of only four teats in the pouch of the 
female indicating that this number must be the limit. 
THE URSINE DASYURES. GENUS SARCOPHILUS. 
Sarcophilus, F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. Mamm., vol. iv., pt. 70 
(1837). 
Form very stout and powerful; muzzle short and broad; 
ears broad and rounded; tail moderate, evenly haired; feet 
plantigrade, the front ones with well-developed curved claws, 
and in the hinder pair the hallux wanting. Soles of hind feet 
