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THE BANDED BANDICOOT. 



In its wild state it is nocturnal in its habits, living during the day in the depths of 

 a capacious burrow, which it excavates in the earth to such a depth that even the 

 persevering natives will seldom attempt to dig a Wombat out of its tunnel. Owing to 

 this habit of burrowing, it is very destructive if left in an unpaved yard, for it soon 

 excavates several subterraneous passages, and puts the stability of houses and walls 

 into jeopardy. 



The creature seems to be remarkably sensitive to cold, considering the severe 

 weather which often reigns in its native country. It is fond of hay, which it chops in- 

 to' short pieces with its knife-edged teeth. The natives say that if a Wombat is mak- 

 ing a journey, and happens to come across a river, it is not in the least discomfited, but 

 walks deliberately into the river, across the bed of the stream, and, emerging on the op- 

 posite bank, continues its course as calmly as if no impediment had been placed in its way. 



The teeth of the Wombat present a curious resemblance to those of the rodent 

 animals, and are endowed with the same powers of reproduction as those of the beaver 

 and other animals of the same order. The feet of the Wombat are broad, and the fore- 

 feet are provided with very strong claws, that are formed for digging in the earth. 

 There are five toes to each foot, but the thumb of the hinder feet is extremely small, 

 and devoid of a claw. This animal is remarkable for possessing fifteen pairs of ribs 

 in one case sixteen pairs of ribs were found only six pairs of which reach the breast- 

 bone. Remains of a fossil species of Wombat have been discovered in New Holland, 

 together with the relics of an allied and gigantic species, which, when living, must 

 nearly have equalled the hippopotamus in dimensions. 



BANDED BANDICOOT. Perametes fasciata. 



The BANDICOOT, two examples of which will be described in the following pages, 

 form a little group of animals that are easily recognizable by means of their rat-like 

 aspect, and a certain peculiar, but indescribable mode of carrying themselves. The 

 gait of the Bandicoot is very singular, being a kind of mixture between jumping and 

 running, which is the result of the formation of the legs and feet. During progression, 

 the back of the creature is considerably arched. The snout is much lengthened and 

 rather sharply pointed, and the second and third toes of the hinder feet are conjoined 

 as far as the claws. The pouch opens backwards. 



The BANDED BANDICOOT, or STRIPED-BACKED BANDICOOT, derives its name from the 

 peculiar marking of its fur. 



The general color of its coat is a blackish-yellow, as if produced by alternate hairs, 

 the black tint predominating on the back and the yellow on the sides. Over the hinder 



