POUCHED JERBOA I 5 



Tasinanian Devil, namely, complete extermination in Australia, 

 where both once lived." D. hallucatus shows an approach to 

 Phascologale in its five-toed hind-feet and slender build. 



PJiascologale is a genus which, like the last, is usually arboreal 

 (although not P. virf/iniae of North Queensland), but is of much 

 smaller size, the species not exceeding the dimensions of a rat. 

 They have no spots, but there is sometimes a stripe down the back. 

 There are thirteen species, which have the same range as the last 

 genus. The hallux is present though small, but the pouch is 

 " practically obsolete," though there is a small fold of skin behind 

 the teats. The rhinariuin is naked; the tail is long, "bushy, 

 crested, or nearly naked." The mammae are four to ten in 

 number. The dental formula is as in Dasynrus, and the teeth 

 are not very different in form ; sometimes the last premolar is 

 wanting;. " The members of this Lrenus," remarks Mr. Thomas, 

 " evidently take the place in the Australian region filled in the 

 Oriental by the Tupaiae, and in the Neotropical by the smaller 

 Opossums." 



The genus Snii7itho2]sis comprises not more than four species, 

 even smaller than the last. The largest species, S. rirf/iniae, is 

 only 125 nnn. in length. The hallux is present, and there is 

 a well -developed pouch. There are forty -six teeth, as in the 

 Dasyures. The feet are narrow with granulated or hairy soles, 

 whereas in Phascologale they are broad with smooth soles. The 

 mammae are eight or ten. The genus ranges through Australia 

 and Tasmania. 



The genus Antecldnomys has but a single species, which is a 

 native of Queensland and. New South Wales. The build is 

 Jerboa-like, and the animal is, as might be inferred, terrestrial. 

 The ears are very long, and the liniljs elongated ; the hallux is 

 absent ; the teeth are exactly as in Sminthoj^sis. 



Anteehinomys has thirteen dorsal and seven lumbar verte- 

 brae ; three sacrals and twenty-five caudals, the latter number 

 being in excess of that of its allies. The stomach is nearly 

 globular, with approximated orifices ; the intestine measured 

 6'8 inches, a little more than twice the length of the animal 

 itself. A. lanigera is a native of East Central Australia, and 

 appears to be entirely terrestrial in habit, and to progress by a 

 series of leaps — at any rate when going at full speed. 



Professor Spencer, w^ho found examples of this rare species, gives 



