MAKSUPIATA. 



MARSUPIATA. 



603 



We now proceed to give a succinct illustration of the gcr.era aud 

 some of the sub-genera above mentioned. 



Thylacinus (Temminck). Dental Formula : 



Incisors, _; Canines, _H- ; Molars, '_J!2_ = 4. 

 6 : '11' ' 7-7 



The incisors are ranged in a semicircle, equal, and separated in the 

 middle in each jaw by a vacant space ; the external incisor on each side 

 is the stoutest ; the canines are of considerable size, curved aud pointed 

 like those of the cats and dogs ; the last molars are armed with three 

 obtuse tubercles, resembling those of the two groups of Carmvora last 

 mentioned ; toes five on each fore foot, and four on each hind foot. 



T. cynocephalm (Dasyurus cynocephalus of Geoffroy, T. Ifarrisii of 

 Temminck), the Tasmauian Wolf, Zebra Opossum, and Zebra Wolf. 

 Size of a young wolf; the short smooth hair of a dusky yellowish- 

 brown above, barred or zebraed on the lower part of the back and 

 rump with about 16 jet-black transverse stripes, broadest on the back, 

 and gradually tapering downwards, two of which extend a consider- 

 able way down the thighs ; the ground-colour on the back inclines to 

 blackish-gray ; tail much compressed and tapering to a point. 



~~~ 



Tasmania!! Wolf (Tliyla 



Mr. Harris (' Linn. Trans.') states that this species, the largest of 

 the Australian Carnirora, inhabits caverns and rocks in the deep and 

 almost impenetrable glens in the neighbourhood of the highest 

 mountainous part* of Van Diemen's Land, where it probably preys 

 upon the brush (bush ?) Kangaroo and various small animals that 

 abound in those places. The iudividual from which the description 

 and drawing were taken was caaght in a trap baited with kangaroo- 

 flesh. It remained alive but a few hours, and during that period 

 uttered the cry and presented the appearances quoted by Professor Owen. 

 In its stomach were found the partly-digested remains of a Porcupine 

 Aut-Eater (Echidna aculeata). Two of these animals are now alive 

 in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, Hegent's Park. The following 



_ peculiar to Australia, 



has the same functions and relations as have the lion and the tiger 

 among the larger quadrupeds of Africa and Asia. It is probable that 

 these beasts formerly preyed for the most part on phalangers and 

 kangaroos ; for it appears, from the observations of Mr. Gunn, that 

 they obstinately refuse the flesh of the wombat, although it is one of 

 the commonest quadrupeds in the districts which they inhabit. But 

 since the introduction of sheep, their favourite prey is mutton, and 

 their ravages have been so extensive as to oblige the shepherds to 

 destroy them by every possible means. They are rarely caught alive, or, 

 if so caught, are killed whilst in the snares, so that it has only been with 

 the greatest difficulty and by offering large rewards that Mr. Guun 

 and Dr. Grant have been able to secure the present interesting speci- 

 mens for the society. They are animals of extreme activity, and 

 capable of bounding upwards nearly to the height of the deii in 

 which they are exhibited. No other species of Thylacinut is now 

 known to exist, and this is entirely confined to the island of Van 

 Oiemen's Land. In the fossil Fauna of the continent of Australia, 

 Professor Owen has however discovered indication of a species very 

 closely allied to it, among the remainn collected by Sir Thomas 

 Mitchell in the caverns of Wellington Valley, New South Wales." 



Druyni-ui (Geoffroy). Head conical, very much pointed ; gape very 

 wide ; ears moderate ; toes five on the fore feet ; on the hind feet the 

 great toe is reduced to a tubercle or is entirely absent. 



0-6 



Dental Formula :- -Incisors, * ; Canines, . i; Molars, .". ^ = 42. 



Teeth of Dasyurus (Dasyurus macnirus]. 



J>. uriinus (Didelpluji urtina, of Harris). Head, body, legs, and 

 upper part of the tail covered with Ions; coarse black hair, irregu- 

 larly marked with one or two blotches of white ; in some specimens 

 on the shoulders, in others on the throat or rump ; tail slightly 

 prehensile, its under part bare. (Harris.) 



WJV 



Ursine Opossum (Dasyurus urtinui). Hums. 



This specie*, which is very voracious, aud burrows iu tlie ground in 

 Van Diemeu's Laud, is of the size of a badger. " These animals," 

 says Mr. Harris, " were very common on our first nettling at Hobart 

 Town, anil were particularly destructive to poultry, &c. They how- 

 ever furnish the convicts with a fresh meal, and the taste was said to 

 be not unlike veal. As the settlement increased, aud the ground 

 became cleared, they were driven from their haunts near the town to 

 the deeper recesses of forests yet unexplored. They are however 



