1442 



THE POUCHED MAMMALS, OR MARSUPIALS 



than the thylacine, being almost blinded if exposed to the rays of the sun, and pass- 

 ing the day coiled up in some dark and secluded lair, which may be either a natural 

 cave or cleft among the rocks, or a burrow excavated by the animal's powerful claws 

 at the root of a tree. In its gait and movements it presents a considerable resem- 

 blance to a badger or small bear. Except those which are too large to be attacked, 

 living creatures of all kinds whether Vertebrate or Invertebrate form the prey 

 of the Tasmanian devil; even sheep being destroyed in large numbers by these 

 comparatively-small marauders. 



THE THYLACINE, OR TASMANIAN WOLF. 



(One-tenth natural size.) 



On the mainland of Australia the carnivorous Marsupials are repre- 

 sented by the civet-like dasyures, or native cats (Dasyurus], the 

 largest of which are about equal in size to an ordinary cat. They have the same 

 number of teeth as in the Tasmanian devil, but the cheek-teeth are less massive and 

 powerful. The general form of the body is also much longer and more slender, and 

 the tail more elongated; while in all cases the body is profusely spotted with white, 

 upon a gray or brown ground color. The muzzle is sharp, the ears long, narrow, 

 and pointed, and the long tail evenly and thickly furred. In some of the species 

 there is a rudiment of the first toe of the hind-foot. The dasyures, of which there 

 are five species, are common to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. The largest 



