372 THE KOALA, OR AUSTRALIAN BEAR. 
are many gentle animals, to sudden and unexpected gusts of passion, and when it is excited 
by rage it puts on a very fierce look, and utters sharp and shrill yells in a very threatening 
manner. Its usual voice is a peculiar soft bark, 
The head of this animal has a very unique aspect, on account of the tafts of long hairs 
which decorate the ears. The muzzle is devoid of hair, but has the curious property of feeling 
like cotton velvet when gently stroked with the fingers. There is a naked patch of skin that 
begins at the muzzle and extends for a small space towards the head, and over the whole of 
this bare patch the peculiar velvety feeling is exhibited. The upper jaw projects slightly over 
the lower. The generic name, Phascolarctos, is of Greek origin, signifying ‘‘ pouched bear,” 
and is very appropriate to the animal. As soon as the young Koala is able to leave the pouch, 
KOALA, OR AUSTRALIAN BEAR.—Phascolarctos cinereus. 
the mother transposes it to her back, where it clings with its hand-like paws, and remains 
there for some considerable time. 
It is said by those who have seen the animal in its wild state, that it is truly deserving of 
the name of Australian Sloth, which has been applied to it because it is able to cling with its 
feet to the branches after the manner of the sloths, and to suspend itself from the boughs 
much after the same fashion. 
This animal is rather prettily colored, the body being furnished with fur of a fine gray 
color, warmed with a slight reddish tinge in the adult animal, and fading to a ilidhese o in 
the young. The claiws are considerably curved, and black ; and the ears are tufted with long 
white hairs. In size it equals a small bull-terrier dog, being, when adult, rather more than 
two feet in length, and about ten inches in height, when standing. The circumference of the 
body is about eighteen inches, including the fur. 
On account of the tree-climbing habits of the Koala, it is sometimes called the Australian 
Monkey as well as the Australian Bear. 
THe animals which come next under consideration are truly worthy of the title of 
Macropide, or long-footed, as their hinder feet are most remarkable for their comparative 
length, and in almost every instance are many times longer than the fore-feet. This structure 
