PHASCOLOMYS WOMBAT. 301 



The hairs of the moustaches are numerous, strong, 

 and of a black colour, as are also the long bristly 

 hairs which spring from the cheeks. 



The Wombat possesses 15 pairs of ribs, whereas 

 in other Marsupials they never exceed 12 or 13 pairs. 



Length of head and body measured in a straight 

 line, 3 feet ; length of head from tip of nose to ear, 

 7 inches; length of ear, If inches; fore-foot, (with- 

 out the claws) 2f ; of hind-foot, (without including 

 the claws) 3^ inches. 



The Wombat is found in New South Wales, South 

 Australia, and Van Diemen's Land, as well a in some 

 of the Islands in Bass's Straits. It is a burrowing 

 animal, not very active in its movements, and feeds 

 chiefly upon roots and grass. Its flesh is said to re- 

 semble pork in its fatness and flavour, though not in 

 colour, being red and coarse. When provoked it 

 will emit a hissing sound which can be heard at a 

 considerable distance. 



The earliest account of the Wombat I can find is 

 in Collins* work entitled " An Account of the English 

 Colony of New South Wales," (see pp. 99, 153, and 

 158,) published in 1 802. In this work is an excellent 

 description of the animal (excepting as regards its 

 dentition, where there appears to be some error, 

 probably typographical,) together with a figure, which 

 is not quite so excellent. This account, furnished 

 by Mr. Bass, is drawn up from a specimen obtained 

 at Preservation Island, and which it appears was 

 sent afterwards by Governor Hunter to the Museum 

 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Although not described 



