346 



FAMILY DA8YURID.E; URSINE DASYURUS. 



the number of molars, which are only five on each side of 

 either jaw. 



FIG. 171. CHEIBONECTUS OR YAPOCK. 



310. If we regard the Opossums as representing the Quad- 

 rumana among the Ovo- viviparous Mammalia, we shall find still 

 more analogy between the next family, DASYURID^E, or Ursine 

 Opossums, and the Carnivora : this analogy is shown in the 

 structure of the teeth and digestive organs, and also in the habits 

 of the animals themselves, as is sufficiently indicated by the 

 names, hycena, wild-cat, bear, devil, &c., which are given to the 

 several species by the colonists of Australia, where alone they 

 occur. As an example of this family, we may notice the Dasyu- 

 rus ur sinus, or Ursine (bear-like) Dasyurus, a native of Van 

 Diemens land, not unlike the Badger in shape, and having the 

 gait of a Bear. It is a stupid, voracious animal, which conceals 

 itself in burrows or holes in the ground during the day ; issuing 

 forth at night in search of its food, which appears to be entirely 

 of an animal nature. The flocks and domestic poultry of the 

 colonists suffer considerably from its ravages. The teeth resemble 

 those of the Opossum in their general aspect; but differ in having 

 only eight incisors in the upper jaw and six in the lower ; and 

 also in the number of the molars, which are six instead of seven. 



