PHASCOLARCTOS FUSCUS. 2-97 



the shoulders and upper surface of the neck are di 

 rected towards the head ; on the head the hair is di- 

 rected backwards and meets that of the neck coming 

 from an opposite direction ; on the rump there is an- 

 other of these centres from which the hairs radiate, 

 those in front of this spot are directed forwards, and 

 meet those which are directed backwards from the first 

 mentioned centre. The ears are short, much pointed, 

 and the posterior edge is slightly emarginated, they 

 are not hidden by the fur as in the old animal, the 

 hairs which cover them, however, are about a quarter 

 of an inch long. In colouring it resembles the adult, 

 excepting that the claws are yellow. 



This little specimen has evidently been stuffed with 

 considerable care, and as it was sent from Australia 

 in the position in which it is represented in the figure 

 a common position in foetal animals I presume 

 that it is this way that they lie curled up when in 

 the pouch of the parent. 



The Koala is a native of New South Wales, and, 

 like the Phalangers, climbs trees, feeding no doubt 

 upon the leaves, buds, and fruits. It is said to re- 

 semble a small bear in its mode of climbing. The 

 female carries her young one on her back, when it 

 is capable of leaving the pouch, until it nas attained 

 a considerable size. 



