112 MAMMALIA. 
following toes are united by the skin as far as the last phalanx. It is 
from this circumstance that these animals have received the name of Pha- 
langers*. 
PHALANGISTA. 
PuHataneista, Cuv.—Batant1a, Llligt. 
The true Phalangers have not the skin of the flank extended; four back 
molars in each jaw, with four points in two rows; in front a large one, 
conical and compressed, and between it and the superior canine are two 
small and pointed ones, to which correspond the three very small lower 
ones, of which we have just spoken. Their tail is always prehensile. 
The tail in some of them is in a great measure scaly. They live on 
trees in the Moluccas, on which they seek insects and fruit. At the sight 
of a man they suspend themselves by their tail; and if he gaze at them 
steadily for some time, he causes them to fall through lassitude. They 
diffuse a very unpleasant odour, notwithstanding which their flesh is eaten. 
There are several of them known, of various sizes and colours, all 
of which are embraced under the Didelphis orientalis of Linneus. 
M. Temminck thinks he can separate them into species as follows: 
Ph.ursina,T. (The Ursine Phalanger). Nearly the size of the 
civet; fur close, and of a blackish-brown; the young ones a fawn- 
coloured brown. From the woods of the island of Macassar. 
Ph. chrysorrhous, T. (The Golden-cruppered Phalanger). Size 
of a large cat; fur of an ash brown; white beneath; a golden fawn 
colour on the croup. From the Moluccas. 
Ph. maculata, T.; Buff. XIII. pl. ii; Voy. de Freycin, pl. vii; 
Voy. du Duperr. pl. iv. (The Spotted Phalanger). Size of a cat; 
whitish, irregularly spotted or marbled with brown. 
Ph. cavifrons, T.; Buff. pl. x, the female; and Voy. de Duperrey, 
the male. (The Hollow-fronted Phalanger). The male white; the 
female fawn-coloured, with a brown stripe along the back. To these 
we must add 
Ph. Quoy, Voy. de Freycin., pl. vi. (The Quoy Phalanger). A 
greyish-brown; a blackish-brown longitudinal band on the croup; 
top of the head a cinnamon-red; cheeks, throat, and breasts white f. 
In others, which have hitherto been found in New Holland only, the 
tail is hairy to the tip. 
Ph. vulpina; Did. lemurina and vulpina, Shaw; Bruno of Vicq. 
d’Az.; White, Voy. 278. (The Fox-like Phalanger). Size of a 
stout cat; greyish-brown, paler beneath; tail nearly all black. 
* The name of Phalanger was given by Buffon to two individuals he had observed, 
on account of the union of the two toes of the foot. That of Philander is not, as 
might be thought, derived from the Greek, but from the Malay word Pelandor, which 
means Rabbit, applied by the inhabitants of Amboyna to a species of Kanguroo. 
Seba and Brisson have used it indiscriminately for all the pouched animals. The 
Phalangers, in the Moluccas, are called Couscous or Coussous. The earlier travellers 
not having properly distinguished them from the Sarigues, gave cause to believe that 
this last genus was common to the two continents. 
+ Balantia, from Balantion, purse or pouch. 
{ A very distinct species. 
