848 DR. J. MURIE ON THE SPECIES OF PHASCOLOMYS. [Dec. 12, 
cernible, but broader and shallower, in the right upper incisor. In 
the same specimen, however, the left one does not exhibit any sign 
of such a depression. Longitudinal striation of these teeth in P. 
wombat is not constant as it is in P. platyrhinus. 
The frontal sinuses in P. platyrhinus correspond in size to the 
greater breadth of cranium at this part, but they are still larger 
in P. latifrons. 
The outer surface of the symphysis of the mandible in P. platy- 
rhinus tapers steadily as it passes backwards towards the molars; in 
P. wombat it juts out very considerably opposite the premolar. 
The two lateral parietal ridges are more raised, and taper more 
towards each other at the occiput, in P. platyrhinus; but this may 
be sexual, as in Mr. Bush’s female specimen they are very similar to 
those of P. wombat. 
Although drawing attention to what seems to separate and distin- 
guish the crania of P. platyrhinus from P. wombat, it must be borne 
in mind that I do not lay great weight upon the minor distinctions 
which I myself have observed ; for, in a more extensive series of spe- 
cimens than that which I have been able to examine, it is possible 
these may be found to be fallacious. In truth, I but call attention to 
these points as worthy of future observation, the more essential differ- 
ences being those previously noted by Prof. Owen and Dr. Gray. 
Assured respecting the similarity of the skulls of these two spe- 
cimens to the type of P. platyrhinus, the next point of import- 
ance is the consideration of the skin as a means of ascertaining if 
it resembles any of the species named alone from external cha- 
racters. 
The skin of one of Mr. Bush’s specimens, which I place before 
the Meeting, is not in such a perfect state as could be wished ; but 
it is in sufficient condition, and well enough shows that the hair 
all over the body and limbs is of a dark-brown colour, and not so 
mingled with grizzly grey as in the common species. The nape 
of the neck is somewhat darker, the hairs being more tipped with 
black ; and this is continuous along the median line of the back, 
broadening out at the loins into a more diffused blackish tinge. 
The head is of a similar brown colour, as are the sides of the body, 
the lightest shade being underneath the neck. 
The ears are too much destroyed for the colour or appearance to 
be distinguished. , 
The fur is coarse, quite different from that of P. latifrons, and 
more resembling that of the common species. 
The skin altogether is rather larger than that of the Common 
Wombat, as the size of the bones clearly demonstrates. 
Neither the coloration of the skin, its size, nor that of the entire 
animal harmonizes with our knowledge of the common species ; but 
they answer precisely to Dr. Gray’s definition of the characters be- 
longing to the species he has named Phascolomys angasit. Moreover 
in some respects the coloration approaches, especially in the back, 
the shade of the animal at present living in the Society’s Gardens, 
which Mr. Gould names P. niger. 
