482 THE BANDED BANDICOOT. 
In its wild state it is nocturnal in its habits, living during the day in the depths of 
a capacious burrow, which it excavates in the earth to such a depth that even the 
persevering natives will seldom attempt to dig a Wombat out of its tunnel. Owing to 
this habit of burrowing, it is very destructive if left in an unpaved yard, for it soon 
excavates several subterraneous passages, and puts the stability of houses and walls 
into sad jeopardy. : 
The creature seems to be remarkably sensitive to cold, considering the severe weather 
which often reigns in its native country. It is fond of hay, which it chops into short pieces 
with its knife-edged teeth. The natives say that if a Wombat is making a journey, and 
happens to come across a river, it is not in the least discomfited, but walks deliberately 
into the river, across the bed of the stream, and, emerging on the opposite bank, continues 
its course as calmly as if no impediment had been placed in its way. 
The teeth of the Wombat present a curious resemblance to those of the rodent animals, 
and are endowed with the same powers of reproduction as those of the beaver and other 
animals of the same order. The feet of the Wombat are broad, and the fore-feet are 
provided with very strong claws, that are formed for digging in the earth. There are five 
toes to each foot, but the thumb of the hinder feet is extremely small, and devoid of a claw. 
This animal is remarkable for possessing fifteen pairs of ribs—in one case sixteen pairs of 
ribs were found—only six pairs of which reach the breast-bone. Remains of a fossil 
species of Wombat have been discovered in New Holland, together with the relics of an 
allied and gigantic species, which, when living, must nearly have equalled the hippopotamus 
in dimensions. 
BANDED BANDICOOT.—Perdmeles fuscidta. 
The BANnpIcoor?, two examples of which will be described in the following pages, form 
a little group of animals that are easily recognisable by means of their rat-like aspect, and 
a certain peculiar, but indescribable mode of carrying themselves. The gait of the 
Bandicoot is very singular, being a kind of mixture between Jumping and running, which 
is the result of the formation of the legs and feet. During progression, the back of the 
creature is considerably arched. The snout is much lengthened and rather sharply pointed, 
and the second and third toes of the hinder feet are conjoined as far as the claws. The 
pouch opens backwards. 
The BANDED BANDICOOT, or STRIPED-BACKED BANDICOOT, derives its name from the 
peculiar marking of its fur. 
The general colour of its coat is a blackish-yellow, as if produced by alternate hairs, 
the black tint predominating on the back and the yellow on the sides. Over the hinder 
