340 GEORGINA SWEET. 



(2) The large size of the median vaginal cauals in compari- 

 son with those of other forms and with its own vaginal caecum, 

 and the intercommunication of the two median vaginal 

 canals. 



(3) The presence of the urogenital strand which encloses 

 the anterior vaginal cauals as well as the other ducts, as in 

 Perameles, Peragale, etc., and that of the dense connective 

 tissue anterior to the long urogenital sinus, 



Notoryctes then, like Perameles, seems to be more primi- 

 tive in type, as far as its female reproductive organs can 

 show. 



Pouch. 



As previously described by Professor Spencer [8, p. 49] 

 the pouch is present in both male and female forms, as 

 in some other Marsupials. In the male it is but slightly, 

 though unmistakably, developed, while in the female, it is 

 naturally much larger. My observations confirm the state- 

 ments hitherto published [8 and 10] as to the position and 

 relations of the pouch and mammte, etc. The general appear- 

 ance is shown in PI. 19, fig. 17, herewith. 



The epidermis of this region is similar to that of the rest 

 of the body, but has, here and there, some of the special 

 " sense organs " described in Part IV. The dermis is dense 

 and deeply staining around the pouch area, least so on the 

 roof of the pouch cavity. The sphincter marsupii is present, 

 and lies deep down in the very thick layer of adipose tissue 

 in the walls of the pouch. This tissue also contains numerous 

 bundles of non-striated fibres, mostly transverse, with others 

 longitudinal to the body. The dermis has a very abundant 

 blood-supply. 



The groups of hairs are less closely packed in this area, 

 especially on the roof of the pouch cavity, and usually consist 

 of three bundles each. The hairs are chiefly of three average 

 sizes — the largest yellow-brown in colour "018 mm. thick, 

 the smaller ones, which are colourless and much imbricated, 

 being 'OOG mm. to "009 in diameter. 



