BY GERARD KREFFT. 17 



that is, the hair removed, and the game roasted upon the coals. 

 From May to September, females with from 2 to 3 young ones in 

 the pouch were frequently captured. In October or November, 

 the young progeny begin to shift for themselves. 



The pouch is very deep, the entrance upwards, and contains 

 8 teats. 



13. PHALANGISTA VTJLPINA. 



Vulpine or Brush-tailed " Opossum " 



So well known to everybody, that I shall not enlarge upon it ; 

 but merely remark that this species is the staff of life to the 

 natives. 



I often admired my native friends, when after a hard day's 

 unsuccessful hunting they dropped in at the camp empty handed ; 

 how carefully they would examine the large flooded Gum-trees 

 (Eucalyptus rostratus), fringing the river banks, how nimbly they 

 would get a footing upon some hollow limb, and with what per- 

 severance "Possum" was dislodged, and perhaps, accidentally 

 dropped into the river, whence it had to be rescued by the black- 

 fellow's better half : for it was the question of " to eat or not 

 to eat." 



How often the Phalangista vulpma produces young, I am not 

 able to tell with certainty. I think, judging by the large 

 numbers in every forest, several times a year. The female is 

 provided with only 2 teats, and seldom carries more than one 

 young one at the time. 



14. PHALANGISTA VIVERRINA. 

 Ring-tailed Opossum. 

 Pirrath of the Murray natives. 



A rare animal on the Murray and Darling. I secured no 

 more than two specimens during my stay there. It is much 

 lighter in colour than the species inhabiting the Swan River 

 colony. The pouch in the female is provided with 2 teats. 



It is one of the characteristics of the flat country tra- 

 versed by the Murray and Darling, that no other species of the 

 Phalangistidce are found there. 



The first Btlidceus I captured on my return, at Mount Ida, 



B 



