BY GERARD KREFFT. 5 



that the late lamented Explorers called Rat Point (in the neigh- 

 bourhood of fort Bourke) after this Hapalotis. 



They are gregarious in their habits. I have dislodged as 

 many as 15 specimens from a single tree, and kept large num- 

 bers in captivity. They became quite tame ; and many which 

 had escaped would return to join my frugal supper at night, and 

 help themselves, to damper especially. This is a very graceful 

 animal, strictly nocturnal in its habits, and its flesh white, tender, 

 and well-tasted. 



4. HAPALOTIS MITCHELLII. 



Mitchell's Hapalotis. 



Kahlpere of the natives 



is another animal which the late Sir Thomas Mitchell first dis- 

 covered. I have no doubt that it is widely distributed over the 

 Australian continent, but I was not able to procure specimens at 

 Gunbower Creek, or at the Junction of the Loddon. The first 

 pair obtained were brought to me by natives in the neighbourhood 

 of the Murrumbidgee. This animal is very plentiful on the 

 Darling : and as many as 50 specimens were often procured by 

 the native women in an afternoon. It burrows into the ground, 

 and is dug out by them. Hapalotis Mitch ellii is strictly nocturnal 

 in its habits, and the female produces 4 young at a time. Though 

 they are easily kept in captivity, they often kill each other, if not 

 well supplied with food ; they also have a disagreeable habit (to 

 the naturalist, at least) of gnawing each others tails off. 



5. Mus SUBRUFUS ? 

 Dusky mouse. 

 Pethack of the natives. 



Apparently an undescribed species (for which I would propose 

 the name of Mus subrufus) is found in large numbers between 

 Gol Gol Creek and the Darling ; it is nocturnal and gregarious, 

 and, like Hapalotis Mitchellii, burrows into the 'ground ; 4 young 

 are produced at a time by the female. 



All the Rodents are eaten by the natives, but only in case 

 of no other food being at hand, as a large number of these little 

 creatures are wanted to satisfy the hunger of a black-fellow. 



This closes the list of the Placental Mammalia, which I had 



