PHASCOLOMYS WOMBAT. 301 



The hairs of the moustaches are numerous, strong, 

 and of a black colour, as are also the long bristly 

 hairs which spring from the cheeks. 



The Wombat possesses 15 pairs of ribs, whereas 

 in other Marsupials they never exceed 1 2 or 1 3 pairs. 



Length of head and body measured in a straight 

 line, 3 feet ; length of head from tip of nose to ear, 

 7 inches ; length of ear, 1| inches; fore-foot, (with- 

 out the claws) 2f ; of hind-foot, (without including 

 the claws) 3^ inches. 



The Wombat is found in New South Wales, South 

 Australia, and Van Diemen's Land, as well ae in some 

 of the Islands in Bass's Straits. It is a burrowing 

 animal, not very active in its movements, and feeds 

 chiefly upon roots and grass. Its flesh is said to re- 

 semble pork in its fatness and flavour, though not in 

 colour, being red and coarse. When provoked it 

 will emit a hissing sound which can be heard at a 

 considerable distance. 



The earliest account of the Wombat I can find is 

 in Collins* work entitled " An Account of the English 

 Colony of New South Wales," (see pp. 99, 153, and 

 158,) published in 1 802. In this work is an excellent 

 description of the animal (excepting as regards its 

 dentition, where there appears to be some error, 

 probably typographical,) together with a figure, which 

 is not quite so excellent. This account, furnished 

 by Mr. Bass, is drawn up from a specimen obtained 

 at Preservation Island, and which it appears was 

 sent afterwards by Governor Hunter to the Museum 

 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Although not described 



