THE TEETH OF MARSUP1ALIA. 425 



outermost being somewhat cauiniform. The canines are 

 stout, pointed teeth, not quite so long relatively as those 

 of tlio clog. The premolars are conical teeth, implanted by 

 two roots, and very similar to those of the dog ; they are 

 followed in the upper jaw by four molars, increasing in size 

 from the first to the third, but the last true molar is again 

 a smaller tooth. 



The upper molars are all of the " carnassial " pattern ; 

 there is a " blade " elevated into subsidiary cusps, and 

 internally to this a " tubercle," supported by a third root. 



The lower molars also bear some resemblance to the car- 

 nassial teeth of the dog, consisting of a strong, sharp-edged 

 blade, with anterior and posterior subsidiary cusps, the latter 

 being somewhat broad and tubercular. 



An allied animal (Dasyurus ursinus), though smaller than 

 the Thylacine, and having teeth of a less sectorial character, 

 is so destructive to sheep, and so fierce and untamable, that 

 it has earned the name of " Tasinanian Devil." 



Within the limits of the same genus, a species (Dasyurus 

 viverriiius) is to be found in which the molar teeth are 

 studded over with long sharp cusps, like the teeth of 

 Insectivora, a group which it resembles both in its habits 

 and food. 



A number of smaller Marsupials approximate in their 

 dentition more or less to the Insectivorous type, whilst a 

 tolerably complete chain of existing forms serves to bridge 

 over the gap between the rapacious Dasyuridee and the 

 herbivorous Kangaroos and Wombats. 



Amongst the Opossums the larger species have large 

 canines, and a dentition in its general features approxi- 

 mating to the Dasyuridee ; they feed upon birds and small 

 mammals, as well as upon reptiles and insects, while the 

 smaller species are more purely insectivorous. 



Myrmecobius, a small Australian Marsupial of insectivo- 

 rous habits and dentition, is remarkable as having teeth in 



