130 THE DASYURES. 



by setting a trap in the most unfrequented parts of 

 the woods, baited with raw flesh, all kinds of which 

 they eat indiscriminately and voraciously ; they, also, 

 it is probable, prey on dead fish, blubber, &c., as 

 their tracks are frequently found on the sands of 

 the sea shore." 



In my note book I have the following memoran- 

 dum of observations made upon this animal, — two 

 specimens of which have lived for a long time in the 

 Zoological Society's menagerie. 



Upon first beholding the ursine opossum, the 

 large size of the head is very striking, and when it 

 opens its mouth, that is still more so. It is very 

 savage — makes a sort of growling noise when dis- 

 turbed — sleeps all day, and the keeper says it is not 

 very active at night — feeds upon bread and mijk, 

 and meat — does not distinguish the keepers, not even 

 those who feed it — neither do the other Dasyuri. 



Mr. Gunn says " the Devil is destructive to sheep 

 all over the colony, and is indeed the most destruc- 

 tive of our indigenous quadrupeds, the Thylacinus 

 being much scarcer. The J), ursinus is nocturnal, 

 very fierce, and a match for an ordinary dog ; they 

 bite very severely." 



SPOTTED-TAILED DASYURUS. 



Dasyurus macrourus, 



Plate VI. 



Dasyurus macrourus, Geqf. Ann. du Mus. iii., p. 358. 



Descrrj)tion. — Size nearly equal to that of a cat ; 



