DIPROTODON. 261 
this use was. Of the bones of the limbs we are, unfortunately 
still ignorant. 
Distribution.— Australia generally. 
FAMILY DIPROTODONTIDZA: 
GENUS DIPROTODON. 
Diprotodon, Owen, in Mitchell’s Australia, vol. ii., p. 362 (1838). 
I. DIPROTODON AUSTRALIS. 
Diprotodon australis, Owen, Joc. cit. ; Lydekker, Cat. Foss. 
Mamm. Brit. Mus., pt. v., p. 170 (1887). 
This, the largest of known Marsupials, is the representative 
not only of a distinct genus, but likewise of a separate family. 
Having an elongated skull of about a yard in length, this 
enormous Marsupial may be compared in size to the largest 
Rhinoceros, although it probably stood taller on the legs. 
The dentition corresponds generally to that of the Kangaroos, 
that is to say there are no canine teeth, and the incisors, of 
which there are three pairs in the upper, and one in the lower 
jaw, are separated by a long gap from the grinding teeth; the 
latter comprising one pair cf premolars and three pairs of 
molars in each jaw. The upper incisor teeth decrease in size 
from the first to the third, each pair being in contact in the 
middle line of the palate; and the first pair being very large 
and chisel-like, with a coating of enamel on their front surfaces 
only, and growing continually throughout the life of their 
owner. The single pair of lower incisors are very large, 
directed almost straight forwards, and nearly cylindrical in 
section, thus differing very widely from the corresponding 
spatulate teeth of the Kangaroos. Each of the grinding teeth 
carries a pair of bold transverse ridges, very similar to those 
