

VERTEBRATA. 



TUE SPOTTED MARTIN'. 



MYRMECOBITJS : Myrmeeobius. — This genus includes the Banded Ant-Eater, M- 



sembling somewhat both the ichneumons and the tupaias. It is about ten inches long, 



tawny color, marked with transverse hands of black and white. The female has no pouch, but 



: adhere to the breasts, and are hidden by the thick fur. It is supposed to feed on ants. 



THE BANDED ANT-EATER. 



< EKEROPUS: Ckoeropus. — This includes the Pig-footed Bandicoot, C. ecaudatus, 

 1 Dear Murray's River, in Australia; it is about a foot and a half long; the marsupial 

 downward instead of upward, as in the Kangaroo and others of the class; there are 

 ly on the fore-feet, which resemble those of a pig, and there is no tail. Very little is 

 habits. 

 PERAMELES: Perameles. — This includes the Long-nosed Bandicoot, P. nasuta, 

 . with the upper part of the snout much prolonged: the tail is long and ta- 

 pering; the fur gray-brown above and white beneath ; the body eighteen inches long. A speci- 

 men of another s] ies, the Rabbit Perameles, P. lagotis, has been in the gardens of the Zoo- 



. London. The Blunt-nosed Bandicoot — the Porcupine Opossum of Shaw — P. 



ila, resembles the preceding. These three species are found in Australia. The P. Gunnii 



of Van Diemen's hand, where it is generally diffused. These animals all feed on in- 



. ^rain, ,' 



■ DIDELPHYS: Didelphys. — This includes the numerous family of Opossums, which 



i in America. The Common American Opossum, I). Virginiana, is too well 



•man. I an extended description. It has a pointed head, wide gape, numerous sharp 



-h long large and naked, small eyes, the tail long, tapering, flexible,. and pre- 



