140 THE KOALA. 



tinually scraped with a shell, and by degrees the skin becomes perfectly 

 clean and pliable. When a sufficient number of skins are prepared, 

 they are ingeniously sewn together Avith a thread that is made from 

 the tendons of the kangaroo, which, when dried, can be separated into 

 innumerable filaments. A sharpened piece of bone stands the sable 

 tailor in place of a needle. From the skin of the same animal is also 

 formed the " kumeel," or badge of manhood, a slight belt, which no 

 one is permitted to wear until he has been solemnly admitted among 

 the assembly of men. 



In its color the Vulpine Phalangist is rather variable, but the gen- 

 eral hue of its fur is a grayish brown, sometimes tinted with a ruddy 

 hue. The tail is long, thick, and woolly in its character, and in color 

 it resembles that of the body, with the exception of the tip, which is 

 nearly black. The dimensions of an old male are given by Mr. Ben- 

 nett as follows : Total length, two feet seven inches, the head being four 

 inches in length and the tail nearly a foot. 



The quaint-looking animal which is popularly known by the native 

 name of Koala, or the Australian Bear, is of some importance in 

 the zoological world, as it serves to fill up the gulf that exists between 

 the phalangistines and the kangaroos. 



The Koala is nocturnal in its habits, and is not very frequently found, 

 even in the localities which it most affects. It is not nearly so widely 

 spread as most of the preceding animals, as it is never known to exist 

 in a wild state except in the south-eastern regions of Australia. 



Although well adapted by nature for climbing among the branches 

 of trees, the Koala is by no means an active animal, proceeding on its 

 way with very great deliberation, and making sure of its hold as it goes 

 along. Its feet are peculiarly adapted for the slow but sure mode in 

 which the animal progresses among the branches by the structure of 

 the toes of the fore-feet or paws, which are divided into two sets, the 

 one composed of the two inner toes, and the other of the three outer, 

 in a manner which reminds the observer of the feet of the scansorial 

 birds and the chameleon. This formation, although well calculated to 

 serve the animal when it is moving among the branches, is of but little 

 use when it is upon the ground, so that the terrestrial progress of the 

 Koala is especially slow, and the creature seems to crawl rather than 

 walk. 



It seems to be a very gentle creature, and will often suffer itself to be 

 captured without offering much resistance, or seeming to trouble itself 

 about its captivity. But it is liable, as are many gentle animals, to 

 sudden and unexpected gusts of passion, and when it is excited by 

 rage it puts on a very fierce look, and utters sharp and shrill yells in 

 a very threatening manner. Its usual voice is a peculiar soft bark. 



This animal is rather prettily colored, the body being furnished with 



