Marsupials and Monotremes 



373 



most inaccessible mountain districts. The colour-markings of 

 this animal are somewhat striking, the grey-brown tints which 

 characterise the ground-hues of the body and limbs being 

 varied by a series of dark bands traversing the buttocks, these 

 being widest in this region, and continued forwards to the 

 middle of the back. A somewhat similar cross-stripe pattern 

 of ornamentation occurs in the relatively small member of the 

 same family described later on as the Banded Ant-eater. 



Examples of the Tasmanian wolf have frequently been on 

 view at the Eegent's Park Gardens, a very fine young male 

 specimen being at present located in the marsupial section. 

 Within a few weeks of its arrival it was on excellent terms 

 with its keeper, though, owing to its somewhat imperfect sense 

 of vision during the daytime, it was apt to snap somewhat 

 promiscuously at those attempting to cultivate its close ac- 

 quaintanceship. That a bite from its formidable teeth is not 

 to be lightly risked will be made abundantly apparent by a 







glance at the successful yawning pose photograph secured of 

 this example by Mr. Medland, and here reproduced. Although the thylacine is at the 

 present time entirely limited in its distribution to Tasmania, it occurs in the fossil state 

 on the Australian mainland; while, singularly to relate, the remains of a closely allied form 

 have within recent years been unearthed in Patagonia. This circumstance, taken in conjunc- 

 tion with the fact that many other fossil types with Australian and New Zealand affinities 

 have been discovered in the same South American strata, has strengthened the supposition 

 maintained by many zoologists that in bygone ages a vast Antarctic continent, spreading; 

 through the areas now occupied by the Southern Indian and Pacific Oceans, temporarily united" 

 the now distinct lands of South America and Australasia. 



Photo ly L. M&tland, F.Z.S., SorthFlnchley. 



TASMANIAN WOLF. 



This photograph shows the great width of 

 gape of this ferocious animal. 



THE TASMANIAN DEVIL. 



Next in size to the thylacine, but possessing a more unenviable notoriety for the 

 uncompromising sulkiness and 

 savagery of its disposition, 

 is the animal which, in virtue 

 of the aforesaid qualities, is 

 known by the title of the 

 TASMANIAN DEVIL. In shape 

 and dimensions this marsupial 

 carnivore somewhat resembles 

 a badger ; but the head is 

 abnormally large, the masseter 

 muscles which control the 

 action of the powerful jaws 

 monopolising a very consider- 

 able share of the face area. 

 The limbs are short and also 

 very powerful, the front paws 

 being well adapted to its 

 burrowing habits. There is 

 some slight variation in the 



3 Pliotoby L. Medland, F.Z.S.} [ Sorth FinchUy. 



colours of this marsupial TASMANIA* WOLF. 



and, aS the In this photograph are shown nearly all the chief characteristic points of the Tasmanian wolf.- 



