142 



MARSUPIALIA 



of fossorial habits, and subsist either on an insectivorous or omni- 

 vorous diet. It has been generally considered that their syndac- 

 tylous feet indicate direct affinity with the Diprotodonts, but owing 

 to the essentially Polyprotodont character of the organisation 

 which extends even to their carpal and tarsal bones Thomas 

 dissents from this view, and concludes that their syndactylism is an 

 independently acquired character, and that they are really a direct 

 offshoot from the Dasyuridce. Some individuals are remarkable for 

 the presence of a longitudinal groove in the root of the canines, by 

 which feature they approximate to some of the Mesozoic Polypro- 

 todont forms. They may be divided into three genera. 



Perameles. 1 Anterior and posterior extremities not differing 

 greatly in development. Fore feet with the three middle toes well 



FIG. 42. Perameles gunni. From Gould. 



developed, the third slightly larger than the second, the fourth 

 somewhat shorter, provided with long, strong, slightly curved, 

 pointed claws. First and fifth toes very short and without claws. 

 Hind feet with hallux of one or two phalanges, forming a distinct 

 tubercle visible externally ; the second and third toes very slender, 

 of equal length, joined as far as the ungual phalanges, but with 

 distinct claws ; the fifth intermediate in length between these and 

 the largely developed fourth toe. Ears of moderate or small size, 

 ovate, pointed. Tail rather short, clothed with short adpressed 

 hairs. Fur short and harsh. Vertebrae ; C 7, D 13, L 6, S 1, C 17. 

 Skull long and narrow, with the bulla single, and its mastoid portion 

 not inflated. 



The animals of this genus are all small, and live entirely on the 

 ground, making nests composed of dried leaves, grass, and sticks in 

 1 Geoffrey, Bull. Soc. Philvm. vol. iii. p. 249 (1803). 



