KOALA. 365 



is plaintive, and unvaried, but by no means unpleasant, 

 and frequently repeated in three syllables." 



The Koala is tolerably abundant, and from 10,000 to 

 30,000 skins are imported annually. In 1889 the large 

 quantity of 300,000 were sold ; and in 1890, 190,000. 

 The present value (1891) of a good skin is about 5d. to 

 Is. In 1871 and 1872, Is. 6d. was paid, but the price 

 fell later to 2|^d. to 5d. These skins are made into 

 perambulator mats, sleeping and travelling bags, coats, 

 rugs, and many other articles for which a cheap, durable 

 fur is required. Some are dyed brown, and a few are 

 clipped and used for glove purposes. 



The skins from Sydney and other mountainous dis- 

 tricts are generally large, fine, and light in colour. 



AUSTRALIAN OPOSSUM. 



Phalangista vulpina. 



French : Opossum d'Australie. German : Australischer 

 Opossum. 



This abundant and well-known animal is also called 

 the Vulpine Phalanger. It is found in the greater part of 

 Australia ; it lives on the great blue gum trees of this 

 continent ; and, as it is nocturnal in its habits, it is 

 usually shot on bright moonlight nights, when its posi- 

 tion can be most easily perceived. 



The Australian Opossum, like the Musk-rat, Skunk, and 

 American Opossum, seems to have increased in the last 

 few years ; it increases in semi-settled countries, living on 

 the corn crops, fruit trees, etc., introduced by the new- 

 comers, which give these semi-wild animals a better 

 supply of food. 



