MARSUPIALIA. 



497 



for the extraordinary number of molar teeth, in which it exceeds 

 any existing Marsupial, and is only surpassed by some of the 

 Armadillos. The dental formula is 



44 

 33 



m 



66 

 66 



54. 



e. Sarcophaga. This is the last section of the existing Mar- 

 supials, and includes a number of predacious and rapacious 



Fig. 189. Myrmecobiits fasciatus, 



forms, which fill the place held elsewhere by the true Carnivora. 

 They are distinguished by the fact that the intestine is destitute 

 of a caecum, and by their strictly carnivorous dentition, the 

 canines being strong, long, and pointed, whilst the molars and 

 praemolars have cutting edges furnished with three cusps (fig. 

 1 88, A). The best-known species of this section are the Thy- 

 lacinus cynocephalus and the Dasyurus ursinus. The former of 

 these is the largest of the rapacious Marsupials, being about as 

 big as a shepherd's dog. It is a native of Van Diemen's Land, 

 and is known to the colonists as the " hyaena." Its head is 

 very large, and the back exhibits several transverse black 

 bands. It lives in caverns and amongst the rocks in the 

 wildest parts of the colony, and its numbers have been very 

 much reduced by the constant war waged upon it by the 

 settlers. The Dasyurus ursinus is also a native of Van 

 Diemen's Land, where it is known as the "native devil." 

 Though smaller than the Thylacine, the Dasyurus is extremely 

 ferocious, and is capable of committing great havoc amongst 

 animals even as large as sheep. 



VOL. II. 



2 I 



