Phalangistid^.- 



-MAMMALIA.- 



-Phalangistid^. 



213 



direction of the little creature's course had been con- 

 tinued, must have plunged it into the sea. AH who 

 •switnessed the, scene were.in pain for its safety; but it 



Fig. ST. 



suddenly appeared to check itself and so to modify its 

 career that it alighted safely on the deck.' " All the 

 species are natives of New South Wales. The Sciurine 



^ 





f^"- ?' 



/ ^.J.,-/. 



The large Petaurist, or Flying Squirrel (Petaurus taguanoides). 



Petaurist is also foiyid in New Guinea and its adjacent 

 ^iSSnds. It is someWaes called tlie Norfolk Island 

 ri_ying Squirrel, having been originally described as 

 inhabiting the outlying and isolated spot of land which 

 bears that name. The fur is ash-coloured above and 

 whitish underneath. A brownish Ime extends from 

 the *iiuS^ to the root of the iail, the latter organ 



Fig. SB. 



being tufted and black at the tip. In the little mouse- 

 like Pigmy Petaurist tlie hairs of the tail are regularly 

 disposed in two rows, one on either side, like the barbs 

 of a feather. 



THE TKOALA {Phascolarctos cinercus). — Although 

 this animal has been generically separated from the 

 Pctaurists and true Phalangers, yet there is no reason to 





The Koula (Pbascularctos ciuereus.) 



place it outside tlie family limits of Phalangistid;c. 

 The most stiikingdifferences have reference to tlie thick- 

 set body, and more particularly to the extreme shortness 

 and rudimentary condition of the tail (fig. 88). Its 

 dentition for the most part corresponds with those of the 

 riialangers ; but it never displaj-s canines in the lower 



jaw, and is only fimushed with four premolars, one on 

 either side above and below. All the molars are pro- 

 vided with four pyramidal tubercles. To the penta- 

 dactylous character of the feet, the very large ccECum, 

 and other essential features of the family, it is entirely 

 conformed. The digits of the anterior feet separate 



