Ml 



Tribe SARCOPHAOA. 



Genus Phascogalc. 

 1884. The skeleton of the Yellow-footed Phascogale (Phacogalf Jlaviptt). 



The inner condyle of the humenu is perforated. Of the cerrical Tcrtebne only the second, 

 sixth and seventh hare neural spines. The transverse proctM of the sixth cerrical appear* 

 to be first pierced by the vertebral artery: " vertebral are cerrical, 13 dorsal, 6 lumbar, 

 3 Mcral, and 23 caudal. All of these hut appear to hare hsrmapophyies. 



Dental formula : j ^ e {={, p & S=< 6 - 



In the present dental formula may be discerned a step in the transition from the Dasyures 

 to the Opossums, not only in the increased number of spurious molars, but also in the shape 

 and proportions of the incisors. In the upper jaw the two middle incisors arc longer than 

 the rest, and separated from them by a brief interval ; they are more curved and project more 

 forward. The three lateral incisors diminish in siie to the outermost. The middle incisors 

 of the lower jaw also exceed the lateral ones in size, and project beyond them, but not in the 

 same degree ; nor are they separated from them by an interval, as in the upper jaw. The 

 canines are relatively smaller than in the Dasyures. The spurious molars present a similar 

 form, but the third in the lower jaw is smaller and simpler than the two preceding ones. The 

 true molars resemble those of the Dasyures. 



.!//. Gould. 



18S5. The mutilated skull of a Phascogale (PhoKogtde calura). Miu. Gould. 



1886. The feet and tail of the same Phascogale. Mia. Gould. 



Genus Da*yuru. 



1887. The skeleton of the Long-tailed Dasyure (Dasyurus macrouru*). 



The inner condyle of the humerus is not perforated. The head of the fibula supports a 

 large sesamoid (fabella). The transverse process of the sixth cervical u first pierced by the 

 vertebral artery : 7 vertebra; are cervical, 13 dorsal, 6 lumbar, 2 sacral, and 20 caudal : the 

 fourth to the twelfth inclusive of these last have hjemapophyses. 



The dental formula is : i , e | P iE* " ;Ei =42 - *^ ne *H5 nt ncior of the upper 

 jaw are of the same length and simple structure, and are arranged in a regular semicircle, 

 without any median interval. The six incisors of the lower jaw are similarly arranged, but 

 have thicker crowns than the upper ones. The canine* present the same or even a greater 

 relative development than in the Tliylacine. The spurious molars have a pointed com- 

 pressed triangular crown, with a rudimental tubercle at the anterior and posterior pan of its 

 base. The grinding surface of the true molars in the upper jaw is triangular : the first prr- 



2 T 



