MYRMECOBIUS FASCIATUS. 14? 



line. The hairs of the moustaches are very small 

 and black ; some black bristly hairs are observable 

 below the eye, and a few spring from above it the 

 whole of the upper parts of the body are sparingly 

 pencilled with white. The fur on the belly is nearly 

 uniform to the root, and on the back a very small 

 space on each hair at the root is grey. 



Length from nose to root of tail, 10 inches; of 

 tail, measured to the end of the hair, 7 inches ; tarsus 

 and claws, 2 inches 2 lines; fore-foot and claws, 1 

 inch 4 lines ; ear, 9| lines ; width of ear at base, 7 

 lines; from nose to ear, 1 inch 10 lines; length of 

 skull, about 2 inches 3 lines ; width, I inch 3^ lines ; 

 length from front of foremost incisor to posterior part 

 of last molar, 1 inch 3g lines ; space between orbits 

 9 lines ; width of nasal bones at the base, 6^ lines ; 

 length about lOf lines. 



This beautiful and interesting little animal was 

 first discovered by Lieut. Dale, whilst on an ex- 

 ploring party in the interior of the country, at the 

 Swan River settlement, and was discovered about 

 90 miles to the south-east of that river. "Two of 

 these animals," says Lieut. Dale, " were seen within 

 a few miles of each other ; they were first observed 

 on the ground, and on being pursued, both directed 

 their flight to some hollow trees which were near 



<3 



We succeeded in capturing one of them ; the othei 

 was unfortunately burnt to death in our endeavour 

 to dislodge it, by fumigating the hollow tree in which 

 it had taken refuge the country in which they were 

 found, abounded in decayed trees and ant hills/' A 



