KYS" 4 PIG-FOOTED BANDICOOT CHAP. 
known, burrows in the soil, whence it extracts grubs; it is also 
a grass-feeder, and it is said that its likeness to a Rabbit in 
appearance is strengthened by its similarity in flavour ! 
Perameles is a genus consisting of twelve species, which are 
found in Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. Like the last 
genus, from which it does not widely differ’ in other points, 
Perameles consists of species which combine insectivorous and 
vegetarian habits. One species is said to become in captivity an 
expert in catching mice. The pouch opens backwards, and there 
are six or eight mammae. 
The last genus of this family is Choeropus, containing but 
one species, Ch. castanotis. It 1s confined to the Australian con- 
Fia. 87,—Pig-footed Bandicoot. Choeropus castanotis. ~ }. 
tinent. It is to be distinguished from the last two by the fact 
that there are only two functional digits, the second and third, ° 
in the fore-limb; the fourth is rudimentary; the other two are 
absent. It burrows, and is omnivorous like its allies. The two 
metacarpals that are developed are very long and closely apposed ; 
they have hence a remarkably pig-like aspect, and justify its 
name. The pouch opens backwards, and there are eight mammae. 
Fam. 4. Notoryctidae.—This family contains but a single 
genus and species, the recently-discovered Notoryctes typhlops.' 
1 See for an account of this animal, Professor Stirling’s Memoir in 77vans. Roy. 
Soc. S. Australia, 1891, p. 154, and Gadow, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 361. 
