250 PHALANGISTlOffi. 



not active in their movements. During the day 

 they remain concealed in the hollows of trees, but 

 about twilight they quit these hiding and sleeping 

 places, and climb amongst the branches of the trees 

 to seek their food, which consists of the young buds, 

 leaves and fruits; these it would appear are more easy 

 of digestion or more nutritious, than the food of the 

 Kangaroos, for the stomach of the present animals is 

 more simple. M. M. Quoy and Gaimard state, that 

 the Phalangers of the Islands north of New Holland 

 feed upon aromatic fruits, but when some specimens 

 they had in confinement could not procure this food, 

 they did not refuse cooked meat. Their flesh is eaten 

 by the natives, and is said to have a good flavour. In 

 Van Diemen's Land, they are said to feed chiefly on 

 the leaves of the Eucalypti, and Mr. Gunn remarks, 

 that orchards in country places suffer sometimes 

 from the Opossums eating the leaves and young 

 branches of the trees. 



The hinder-feet of these animals are always fur- 

 nished with a large opposable thumb which is nail- 

 less, besides which there are four well-developed toes, 

 all armed with large compressed, curved claws ; the 

 two innermost of these toes are joined together al- 

 most to the extremity ; they are rather shorter than 

 the other two toes. On the fore-feet are five well- 

 developed toes, which, like those of the hind- feet, are 

 armed with strong, compressed, curved claws ; the 

 innermost toe is the shortest, and the three central 

 ones are the longest. 



In the various species comprised in the Phalan- 



