246 



POUCHED MAMMALS. 



from North - Western and Xorth - Central Australia, The bridled wallaby 

 (0. frenata) and the crescent wallaby(0. 1" nolo) are smaller species, with relatively- 

 shorter tails ; the former inhabiting Eastern, and the latter, which is not larger 

 than a rabbit, West and South Australia. All the species appear to frequent rock}- 

 and arid districts. 



The hare-wallabies, so called from their resemblance in size, 

 and in some respects appearance, to the common hare, likewise form 

 a group of three species exclusively confined to Australia. They are characterised 

 by the muzzle being partially or completely covered with hair, by the claw of 

 the fourth toe of the hind-foot being long and not concealed by hair, while the 

 tail is rather short and evenly furred without either a brash of hair or a spur 



Hare-Wallabies. 



r 





X, 





THE COMMON HARE-WALLABY (} nat. size). 



at the tip. Their skulls are characterised by the shortness of the interval between 

 the incisor and cheek-teeth ; and by the inflation of the auditory bulla on the 

 inferior surface — the latter feature at once distinguishing these animals from the 

 true wallabies. The upper tusk is always present : and the incisor teeth in the 

 same jaw are small. 



Our illustration represents the common hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes leporoides), 

 from South Australia and Xew South Wales, which measures 19i inches to the 

 root of the tail ; and is clad in fur closely resembling that of the common hare 

 in general colour. This species is fairly abundant in the open country of the 

 interior, more especially near the Murray River. Its habits are in many respects- 

 very similar to those of the hare. 



The West Australian rufous hare-wallaby (L. hirsutus), distinguished by the 

 ruddy tinge of the hair on the rump, and the absence of a black patch on the 



