FAMILY PHASCOLOMYID^E ; WOMBAT. 353 



is evidently a representative of the order Rodentia. The in- 

 cisors are two in number in each jaw ; they are hollow at 

 the base, and continue to grow as they are worn away ; as do 

 also the five molar teeth on either side. It is a clumsy-looking 

 animal, having short stout limbs and a blunt muzzle ; it burrows 

 deeply in the ground, feeding on roots and hard vegetable sub- 

 stances ; and is nocturnal in its habits. Its temper is usually 

 placid, but it will show considerable snappishness when pro- 

 voked ; and its intelligence seems extremely low. 



316. Fossil remains of several species of Marsupials have 

 been found in the bone-caves of Australia, in which country 

 their occurrence might be fairly anticipated. But there is 

 evidence that this order was formerly diffused more widely over 

 the globe, than it is at present ; for remains of animals which 

 unquestionably belonged to it, have been found in Europe, and 

 even in our own country. Bones of an Opossum were found 

 by Cuvier in the gypsum beds of Montmartre (near Paris) ; and 

 portions of the lower jaw of two Opossum-like animals have been 

 discovered in the oolite of Stonesfield in Oxfordshire. These 

 last remains have given rise to much discussion ; some eminent 

 Anatomists having maintained that they are not the remains of 

 Mammals at all, but of animals of the Reptile class. But the 

 question may now be considered as finally settled ; since the 

 examination of the microscopic structure of the teeth has shown, 

 that it corresponds exactly with that of other Marsupials, and 

 differs entirely from that of any Reptiles. It is extremely 

 interesting to remark, that these remains occur in strata much 

 lower (and therefore older) than those in which any other 

 remains of Mammalia are found ; whence it may be concluded, 

 that the Ovo-viviparous sub-class was called into existence at an 

 earlier period in the history of the Globe, than that at which the 

 true Mammalia were created. 



