206 MAMMALIA ORDER XI.MARSUP1ALIA. 



molars have a quadrangular or rounded section. In size and habits, these 

 bandicoots, which are omnivorous, may be compared to a rabbit, which 

 they resemble in their habit of constructing burrows in places where the soil 

 is suitable. The true bandicoots (Perameles), of which 

 there are about a dozen different species, are com- 

 paratively small animals, ranging over Australia, 

 Tasmania, Papua, and some of the neighbouring 

 islands. While some are heavy and ungainly, and 

 others light and elegant in bodily form, all have long 

 and pig-like snouts, but the length of the ears is 

 variable. The three middle toes t>f the fore-foot are 

 nearly equal in length, and furnished with strong, 

 curved claws ; while in the hind-foot there is a 

 clawless first toe, the second and third digits having 

 flat twisted nails, the fourth exceeding all the rest in 

 length, and carrying a stout pointed claw, and the fifth 

 being similar but smaller. The tapering tail may be 

 either clothed with short hair or almost bare ; and 

 there are three pairs of teats in the pouch of the 

 Fig. 108. A BANDICOOT female. In the dentition there are usually five pairs 

 (Perameles). of upper incisors ; and the upper molars, which may be 



either squared or triangular in form, carry sharp cusps. 



They are exclusively terrestrial and nocturnal in their habits ; and apparently 

 feed chiefly on earth-worms, although they also consume insects, grubs, bulbs, 

 roots, and fallen berries and fruit. Bandicoots make sleeping-nests of dried 

 grass, leaves, and sticks ; and, in spite of ridding them of worms and insects, 

 do much harm to gardens and corn-fields. The third and last genus of the 

 family is represented only by the pig footed bandicoot (Chceropus castanotis) 

 of Australia, which, although allied to Gunn's bandicoot (Perameles gnnni), 

 is clearly distinguished by "the very peculiar structure of the feet. In the 

 fore- foot, the first and fifth toes are absent, the fourth is rudimental, while the 

 second and third are alone fully developed and furnished with long, slender 

 claws. Considerably different is the structure of the hind-foot, in which the 

 first toe is wanting, and the fifth rudimental, the fourth being very large. 

 Of a grizzled grey colour, and measuring about ten inches to the root of the 

 tail, the pig-footed bandicoot is an animal of light and slender build, with a 

 short and narrow muzzle, long and slender ears, and a short, cylindrical tail, 

 slightly crested on its upper surface. There are five pairs of upper incisors ; 

 and the pouch of the females contains eight teats. In its habits this animal 

 closely resembles the other members of the family, burrowing holes in the 

 ground, and being omnivorous in diet, although feeding chiefly upon insects. 

 In spite of the number of its teats, the female only produces two young ones 

 at a birth. 



The second of the four families of the Polyprotodonts is characterised by 



having a simpler type of foot-structure than obtains in the PeramelidcK, the 



second and third digits of the hind-foot being completely 



Dasyure Tribe, separate. Hence, it is probable that the Dasyuridce (as the 



present family is termed) constitute the original stock from 



which the Peramelidce have branched off. In addition to this primary 



feature in the structure of the limbs, it may be noticed that there are five 



toes to the fore-foot, and that in the hind-foot the first toe is either small or 



wanting, while the other four are pretty equally developed. The long and 



