128 VERTEBRATA. MAMMALIA. 



closely resemble, by an extension of the skin of the 

 body from the fore to the hind legs, by means of 

 which they are supported in the air during leaps of 

 great extent from one tree to another. They can- 



FLYING PHALANGER (P. Sciurus). 



not really fly. They have three false molars in the 

 upper jaw. The tail is well clothed with hair, which, 

 in several species takes the feather-like arrangement 

 seen in the Squirrels. The Sugar Squirrel and the 

 Flying Mouse of the colonists, (Petaurus Sciurus, 

 and P. PygmcEus^ are elegant little animals of this 

 section. 



The only species of the third division is the Koala, 

 (Phascolarctos Fuscus,) the Native Bear of the colo- 

 nists. It is about the size of a badger, entirely des- 

 titute of a tail : climbs trees in the manner of a bear : 

 the female carries her young one on her back, for 

 some time after it has left the pouch. 



