PHALANGISTA NANA. 281 



Length of head and body, 3 inches 10 lines; tail, 

 3 inches 6 lines ; breadth of tail at the root^ 6 lines ; 

 ear, 5 lines ; breadth of ear, 5 lines. 



From New Holland, but the precise locality not 

 known. 



The above description is taken from Mr. Bell's 

 account with some trifling omissions. This account 

 has the great advantage of having been drawn up from 

 living specimens. I have therefore devoted more 

 than usual space to the descriptive portion. Mr. Bell's 

 accbunt of the habits of these animals when in con- 

 finement is very interesting. 



" In their habits they are extremely like the dor- 

 mouse, feeding on nuts and other similar food, which 

 they hold in their fore paws, using them as hands. 

 They are nocturnal, remaining asleep during the 

 whole day, or, if disturbed, not easily roused to a 

 state of activity ; aiid coming forth late in the even- 

 ing, and then assuming their natural rapid and viva- 

 cious habits ; they run about a small tree which is 

 placed in their cage, using their paws to hold by the 

 branches, and assisting themselves by their prehensile 

 tail, which is always held in readiness to support 

 them, especially when in a descending attitude. Some- 

 times the tail is thrown in a reverse direction, turned 

 over the back, and at other times, when the weather 

 is cold, it is rolled closely up towards the under part, 

 and coiled almost between the thighs. When eating 

 they sit upon their hind quarters, holding the food in 

 their fore-paws, which, with the face, are the only 

 parts apparently standing out from the ball of fur^ of 



