THE POUCHED MICE. 173 
_and rather crisp General colour grey, suffused with yellow or 
rufous ; under-parts yellow or rufous. Ears rather large, naked 
above and tufted externally at the base with yellow or grey 
hairs. Limbs coloured more or less like the under-parts ; soles 
of hind feet naked, with six pads, that of the hallux being 
usually divided ; claws small and delicate. Tail short-haired, 
_ brown or yellow above, paler beneath, the terminal inch black 
in some examples. Eight teats. Length of head and body 
about 5 inches ; of tail 314 inches. 
Distribution. From New Guinea throughout Eastern Australia 
to South Australia. 
Variety —Replaced in Western and Northern Australia by a 
variety (P. /ewcogaster of Gray) distinguished from the typical 
form by the nearly ar quite pure white hue of the under-parts 
and limbs, in which the bases of the hairs still, however, retain 
the normal slaty grey tint. 
It may be mentioned that Mr. Thomas gives the distribution 
of this species as exclusively Australian, and that its extension 
to New Guinea is added on the authority of Mr. Ogilby. 
In its Australian haunts this species, according to Gould, 
-may frequently be seen both on the ground and in trees. 
. When on the latter, it clings very closely to the bark, keeping 
its legs far apart, and moving with a series of sudden little 
Starts, somewhat after the manner of a Tree-creeper. 
Krefft says that this lively little animal is the most abundant 
of its tribe, “and, though nocturnal, is often seen during the 
daytime. It used to be so common near the camp on the 
Murray that I have often captured several specimens whenever 
a load of wood was brought in. I kept many alive, and always 
found that, like the other species of Phascologale, it would 
attack and kill any number of Mice, if put into the same box. 
The shallow pouch of the female is provided with ten teats, 
and as many young are sometimes attached to them,” 
