26 THE GEOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS 



Australian marsupials, have also teeth adapted to an 

 insectivorous diet, although we know, from the records of 

 trustworthy observers, that some of the species feed more 

 or less upon vegetable substances. Such is certainly the 

 case with the Rabbit-eared Bandicoot (Perogale lagotis) of 

 Western Australia, which is abundant over the grassy 

 plains of that colony, and, from its burrowing habits and 

 large hare-like ears, is commonly known as the "Native 

 Rabbit." Of the typical bandicoots (Peromeles), five or six 

 species are known, distributed over various portions of 

 Australia, each colony having its peculiar forms. They are 

 all purely terrestrial animals, some inhabiting the densest 

 scrubs, and others the hot stony ridges of the upland plains. 

 The only remaining member of the family Peromelidse is 

 the anomalous Pigfoot (Chosropus castanotis), a small rat- 

 like animal with slender feet, which is confined to the hard 

 stony grounds of the interior of the southern Australian 

 colonies. 



A most interesting discovery has recently been made in 

 the deserts of Central Australia of a new burrowing mar- 

 supial, of mole-like habits, for which it is necessary to con- 

 stitute a new family. This little animal has been described 

 by Dr. E. C. Stirling (9) under the name of Notoryctes 

 typhlops, and is apparently very rare (Fig. 3, p. 27). As its 

 name implies, it is quite blind, its eyes being represented 

 merely by pigment spots buried beneath the skin and 

 muscles ; furthermore, its whole structure is admirably 

 adapted for its burrowing life. Full descriptions of both 

 its habits and anatomy will be found in the Transactions 

 of the Royal Society of South Australia for 1891. 



We now come to the herbivorous marsupials (Diproto- 

 dontes), of which there are three families all confined to the 



i 



