PHALANGISTTDiE. 249 



PHALANGISTID^. 



At first sight no two animals appear more opposite 

 than a Kangaroo and a Phalanger, and yet when we 

 compare them carefully together, part with part, we 

 cannot help heing convinced that a close affinity exists 

 hetween them. Like the Kangaroos they have four 

 true molars on either side of each jaw, with a more 

 or less compressed molar in front of them, and there 

 are two large horizontal incisors in the lower jaw : 

 the structure of the molars — in some at least — is 

 very similar, and they have the same two toes on the 

 hinder foot united. They resemble the Kangaroo- 

 Rats in possessing a small canine in the upper jaw. 

 The nasal portion of the skull is shorter, and the 

 cranial portion longer than in the true Kangaroos, 

 but as regards the form of the skull, as well as in 

 possessing a canine, the Kangaroo-Rats afford a con- 

 necting link. 



SKULL OF A SPECIES OP Plialangista. 



All the Phalangers are nocturnal in their habits ; 

 they live in trees and are expert climbers, though 



