76 MAMMALIA. 



sloping forwards, and six corresponding ones in the upper jaw. Their supe- 

 rior canini are also long and pointed, but all their inferior ones consist of teetli 

 so small that they are frequently hidden by the gum ; they are sometimes alto- 

 gether wanting in the lower jaw of the last subgenus. 



Their regimen is chiefly frugivorous. The thumb is very large in all of 

 them, and so widely separated from the toes that it seems to slant backwards 

 almost like that of birds. It has no nail, and the two following toes are 

 united by the skin as far as the last phalanx. It is from this circumstance that 

 these animals have received the name of Phalangers. 



PHALANGISTA. 



PHALANGISTA, Cuvier. BALANTIA, Uliger 9 . 



The true Phaltigers have not the skin of the 

 flank extended ; four back molars in each jaw, with 

 four points in two rows ; in front a large one, co- 

 nical and compressed ; and between it and the su- 

 perior canine two small and pointed ones, to which 

 correspond the three very small lower ones, of 

 which we have just spoken. Their tail is always 

 prehensile. 



The tail in some of them is in a great measure 

 scaly. They live on trees in the Moluccas, where 

 they feed on insects and fruit. At the sight of a 

 man they suspend themselves by their tail ; and if he gaze at them steadily for 

 some time, they fall through lassitude. They diffuse a very unpleasant odour, 

 notwithstanding which their flesh is eaten. There are several of them known, 

 of various sizes and colours, all of which are embraced under the Didclphis 

 orientalis of Linnirus. 



Ph. ursina, T. (The Ursine Phalanger.) Nearly the size of the civet, fur 

 close, and of a blackish brown ; the young ones a fawn-coloured brown. From 

 the woods of the isknd of Macassar. In others, which have hitherto been 

 found. in New Holland only, the tail is hairy to the tip. 



Ph. vulpina. (The Fox-like Phalanger.) Size of a stout cat; greyish- 

 brown; paler beneath; tail nearly all black. 



To these we may add the Hollow-fronted Phalanger (Ph. Cavifrons) 

 represented in the engraving, the male of which is white; the female fawn- 

 coloured, with a brown stripe along the back. 



PETAURUS, Shaw PHALANGISTA, Itliger. 



. The Flying Phalangers have the skin of the flanks more or less extended, 

 between the legs, like the Flying Squirrels among the Rodentia, which enables 

 them to sustain themselves momentarily in the air, and make greater leaps. 

 .They also are only found in New Holland. 



* Balsa tia, from $u).<jt.vTinv, purse or pouch. 



