DASYURID.E. 119 



portion of which is most elevated, and a large inner 

 cusp ; the cutting edge opposite this cusp is notched ; 

 the posterior molar is smaller than the others, and 

 differs slightly in shape. These molars have three 

 fangs, whilst the true molars, in the lower jaw, have 

 only two. They are compressed, and, viewed later- 

 ally, present nearly a triangular figure, hut are deeply 

 notched before and behind, so that there are three 

 elevated cusps, of which the central one is the largest 

 The feet nearly resemble those of the Dog ; there 

 are five short toes to the fore-feet, which are devoid 

 of hair beneath, and exceedingly rough ; on the hind- 

 feet there are four short toes, which, as well as those 

 of the fore-feet, are armed with short, thick, and but 

 slightly compressed claws; the pad at the base of 

 the toes is naked, and there is a naked line extend- 

 ing backwards to the heel. The remaining external 

 characters are given in the description of the species, 

 Thyladnus cynocephalus. Its internal anatomy is 

 not known. 



In the section of Dasyures to which the term 

 Dasyurus* is now restricted the teeth are : - 



Incisors, ; canines, {:{ ; false molars, |:| ; true 

 molars, J:|=:42. There are so many points of re- 

 semblance between the dentition of Dasyurus proper, 

 and Thyladnus, that I s^all merely notice the prin- 

 cipal differences. In the first place, the outer incisor 

 on each side of each jaw is not larger than the rest; the 

 true molars, of the upper jaw, as viewed from above, 



* Hairv tail. 



