168 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



of gum-leaves dried, and make tea of them, mixing this and the 

 leaves with artificial food ; when once in England gum-leaves could 

 sometimes be obtained for the animal, so that it need not be entirely 

 deprived of its natural diet. 



THE NOOLBENGER 



( Tarsipes restrains) 



THIS extraordinary little Australian animal, which is of about the size 

 of a Mouse, is very different from all other Phalangers. It has very 

 short claws and a nearly naked prehensile tail ; its jaws are long and 

 slender, and poorly provided with tiny, pointed teeth, though there are 

 two long lower incisors. The mouth is small, and the tongue long 

 and pointed ; it is used to lick honey from the flowers, this being the 

 only beast which lives on honey, though the little Flying Phalangers 

 also partake of it. In captivity the Noolbenger readily eats insects, 

 and no doubt does so at large. It is, of course, an excellent climber. 

 Although it would make a nice pet, it seems never to have been 

 brought to Europe. 



THE WOMBATS 



THE Wombats (Phascolomyidce), of which there are three species found 

 in Australia and Tasmania, are very like giant Guinea-Pigs in appear- 

 ance, and even have rodent-like teeth, the canines being absent, and 

 the incisors two only in each jaw, enamel-faced and continually 

 growing. They are, however, true Marsupials, of rather large size, 

 being about two or three feet long and very bulky. There are five well- 

 developed toes on the fore-feet, but on the hind the first toe is very 

 short and nailless, and the three middle ones joined at the base. 

 These creatures are nocturnal burrowing animals, living on the ground, 

 and feeding, like rodents, on roots and herbage. They are singularly 

 harmless, sluggish, and inoffensive ; one has even been known to allow 

 itself to be picked up and carried, though on an attempt being made to 

 tie its legs it at length lost its temper, made a whizzing noise, and 

 snapped sharply enough. As might be expected in the case of such 

 philosophical animals, they bear captivity well, and one or other kind 

 may constantly be seen in our Zoological Gardens. 



