4 68 



THE KOALA, OR AUSTRALIAN BEAR. 



spread as most of the preceding animals, as it is never known to exist in a wild state 

 except in the south-eastern regions of Australia. 



Although well adapted by nature for climbing among the branches of trees, the Koala 

 is by no means an active animal, proceeding on its way with very great deliberation, and 

 making sure of its hold as it goes along. Its feet are peculiarly adapted for the slow but 

 sure mode in which the animal progresses among the branches by the structure of the 

 toes of the fore-feet or paws, which are divided into two sets, the one composed of the 

 two inner toes and the other of the three outer, in a manner which reminds the observer 

 of the feet of the scansorial birds and the chameleon. This formation, although well 

 calculated to serve the animal when it is moving among the branches, is but of little use 

 when it is upon the ground, so that the terrestrial progress of the Koala is especially slow, 

 and the creature seems to crawl rather than walk. 



As far as is yet known, its food is of a vegetable nature, and consists chiefly of the 

 young leaves, buds, and twigs of the eucalypti, or gum-trees, as they are more popularly 

 called. When it drinks, it laps like a dog. 



It seems to be a very gentle creature, and will often suffer itself to be captured 

 without offering much resistance, or seeming to trouble itself about its captivity. But it 



KOALA, OR AUSTRALIAN BEAR. Phascolarctoa clnerus, 



is liable, as are many gentle animals, to sudden and unexpected gusts of passion, and when 

 it is excited by rage it puts on a very fierce look, and utters sharp and shrill yells in a 

 very threatening manner. Its usual voice is a peculiar soft bark. 



The head of this animal has a very unique aspect, on account of the tufts of long 

 hairs which decorate the ears. The muzzle is devoid of hair, but has the curious property 

 of feeling like cotton velvet when gently stroked with the fingers. There is a naked patch 

 of skin that begins at the muzzle and extends for a small space towards the head, and 

 over the whole of this bare patch the peculiar velvety feeling is exhibited. The upper 

 jaw projects slightly over the lower. The generic name, Phascolarctos, is of Greek origin, 

 signifying " pouched bear," and is very appropriate to the animal. As soon as the young 

 Koala is able to leave the pouch, the mother transposes it to her back, where it clings 

 with its hand-like paws, and remains there for some considerable time. 



It is said by those who have seen the animal in its wild state, that it is truly deserving 

 of the name of Australian Sloth, which has been applied to it because it is able to cling 

 with its feet to the branches after the manner of the sloths, and to suspend itself from the 

 boughs much after the same fashion. 



