MARSUPIATA. 



10.3 



The Yapach {Did. palmata, Geof. ; Lutra memtna, Bodd, fig'. 42) frequents the rivers of Guiana. 



All the other Marsupials inhabit eastern 

 countries, and especially New Holland ; a 

 land of which the mammiferous population 

 seems even to consist principally of ani- 

 mals of this group. 



[The three next genera, and probably 

 the fourth, possess no coecum.] 



The Thylacines {Tliylacinus, Tem.) — 

 Are the largest of this first division : they 

 are distinguished from the Opossums by 

 the hind-feet having no thumb, by a hairy 

 and not prehensile tail, and two incisors 

 less to each jaw ; their molars are of the 

 same number. They have accordingly 

 forty-six teeth ; but the external edge of 

 Fig. 42.— The Yapach. ^j^g j^ij^ee large ones is projecting and 



trenchant, almost like the carnivorous tooth of a Dog : their ears are hairy, and of middle size. 



But one [living] species is known, a native of Van Diemen's Land. — Size that of a [.small] Wolf, but lower on the 

 legs ; of a greyish colour, barred with black across the crupper (Did. cynocephala, Harris). It is very carnivorous, 

 and pursues all small quadrupeds. [Tliis animal does not fish, as has been stated ; nor is its tail compressed : it 

 is principally nocturnal, and is called Tiger and Hycena in its native island.] k fossil species of Thylacine lias 

 been found in the gypsum quarries of Paris. 



The Phascogales {Phascogale, Tem.) — 

 Have the same number of teeth as the Thylacines ; but their middle incisors are longei- than the 

 others, and their back molars more sharply tuberculated, in which respect they rather approximate the 

 Opossums. They are also allied to them by their small size ; the tail, however, is uot prehensile : 

 their posterior thumbs, though very short, are still distinctly apparent. 



[Four species are now known, varying from the size of a Rat to that of a Mouse : they inhabit New Holland and 

 Van Diemen's Land, where they live on trees, and pursue insects.] 



The Dasyures {Dasyurus, Geof.) — 

 Have two incisors and four grinders in each jaw less than the Opossums, so that they have only forty- 

 two teeth ; and their tail, everywhere covered with long hairs, is not prehensile. The hinder thumb 

 is reduced to a mere tubercle, or even quite disappears, [as in the Thylacine]. They inhabit New 

 Holland, and subsist on insects and dead carcases ; they even penetrate into houses, w here their 

 voracity is very inconvenient. Their mouth is not so wide*, and the muzzle [much] less pointed, tliaji 

 in the Opossums ; their ears also are shorter, and hairy. They do not ascend trees. 



The Ursine Dasyure (Did. iirsina, Harris). -Long coarse black hairs, with some white markings; the tail 

 half as long as the body, almost naked underneath. Inhabits the north of Van Diemen's Land, and is 

 nearly the size of a Badger. [This species, which is of common occin-rence, is designated in Van Diemen's Land 

 the Devil: it is nocturnal, and very destructive to Sheep, of a fierce disposition, bites severely, and is a match for 

 an ordinary Dt)g: in common with the rest of its tribe, including the Thylacyar, it often sits on its haunches, and 

 cleans its head with its fore-paws.] 



Tlie long-tailed Dasyure (Das. macrourus, Geof.)— Size of a Cat, with the tail as long as the body ; fur brown, 

 spotted with white both on the body and tail. The tubercle of the thumb is still well marked in this species, but 

 in the following it can no more be seen. 



Mange's Dasyure (Das. Maiigii, (^eof.)- Rather smaller than the preceding, of an olive colour, spotted with 

 white both on the body and tail : and lastly, Did. viven-ina, Sliaw ; which is black, spotted with white, and no spots 

 on the tail ; a third less than the first. [These are still the only ascertained species, though it is probable that others 

 remain confounded. The last is termed Wild Cat in Van Diemen's Land, and is very destructive to poultry, of 

 which it only sucks the blood. These animals apply the entire sole of the hind-foot to the ground when standing. 



The Myrmecobe {Myrmecobius, Waterh.) — 



Has the greatest number of teeth of any known marsupial, fifty-two in all; namely, eight upper and 



• I have bcca much nstonishcil on witncssiiii; the amiwilijjly wide i;npc of the Ursine Dasyure.— Kd. 



