584 



ZOOLOGY 



SECT. 



largest known Marsupial, having reached the dimensions of a 

 Rhinoceros ; it occupies a position intermediate between the 

 Phalangers and the Kangaroos. Unlike the latter, Diprotodon 

 had the limbs of approximately equal size, and adapted for walking : 



FIG. 1242. Nototherium mitchelli. Side view of skull. (After Owen.) 



both manus and pes were pentadactyle with very small sub-equal 

 digits. Nototherium (Fig. 1242), somewhat smaller than Diprotodon, 

 but also of large size, seems to connect together Diprotodon, the 

 Wombats, and the Pha- 

 langers. Thylacoleo (Fig. 

 1243) is an extinct genus 

 referable to the Phalanger 

 family, and characterised 

 by an extremely modified 

 dentition, the only func- 

 tional teeth being a single 

 pair of large incisors in 

 the middle in both upper 

 and lower jaws, with a 

 single elongated trenchant 

 pre-molar on each side 

 both above and below. 



Among the Edentata the majority of fossil as of existing forms 

 have been found in South America. But the family of the Cape 

 Ant-eaters, at the present day confined to South Africa, is proved, 



FIG. 1243. Thylacoleo carnifex. 



of skull. (After Flower.) 



Side view 



