MYRMECOBIUS FASCIATUS. 147 



line. The hairs of the moustaches are very small 

 and black ; some black bristly hairs are observable 

 below the eye, and a few spring from above it — the 

 whole of the upper parts of the body are sparingly 

 pencilled with white. The fur on the belly is nearly 

 uniform to the root, and on the back a very small 

 space on each hair at the root is grey. 



Length from nose to root of tail, 10 inches; of 

 tailj measured to the end of the hair, 7 inches ; tarsus 

 and claws, 2 inches 2 lines; fore-foot and claws, 1 

 inch 4 lines ; ear, 9^ lines ; width of ear at base, 7 

 lines; from nose to ear, 1 inch 10 lines; length of 

 skull, about 2 inches 3 lines ; width, i inch 3^ lines ; 

 length from front of foremost incisor to posterior part 

 of last molar, 1 inch 3^ lines ; space between orbits 

 9 lines ; width of nasal bones at the base, 6^ lines ; 

 length about lOf hues. 



This beautiful and interesting little animal was 

 first discovered by Lieut. Dale, whilst on an ex- 

 ploring party in the interior of the country, at the 

 Swan River settlement, and was discovered about 

 90 miles to the south-east of that river. ^''Two of 

 these animals," says Lieut. Dale, " were seen within 

 a few miles of each other ; they were first observed 

 on the ground, and on being pursued, both directed 

 their flight to some hollow trees which were near. 

 We succeeded in capturing one of them ; the other 

 was unfortunately burnt to death in our endeavour 

 to dislodge it, by fumigating the hollow tree in which 

 it had taken refuge — the country in which they were 

 found, abounded in decayed trees and ant hills." A 



