274 POUCHED MAMMALS. 
coloured. This pouched-mouse inhabits open sandy districts, and is mainly if not 
exclusively terrestrial. It progresses by leaps like a jerboa, and is accompanied in 
its haunts by the placental jumping mice of the genus Hapalotis. 
One of the most curious and interesting of all the Australian 
Marsupials, is the little banded anteater (Myrmecobius fasciatus) ; 
which derives its special interest from the circumstance that it comes closer to 
some of the extinct Marsupials of the Secondary rocks of Europe than does any 
other living type. This animal, which may be compared in size to a squirrel, differs 
from the other members of the family in that there are more than seven cheek-teeth 
on each side of both the upper and lower jaws, and also in the tongue being elongated 
Banded Anteater. 
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BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOLOGALE (3 nat. size). 
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and cylindrical, and thus capable of being protruded a long distance from the mouth. 
The banded anteater takes its name from the broad transverse bars of white on 
the dark ground-colour of the hinder-half of the back and loins; the general hue 
of the fur of the upper-parts being dark chestnut-red, with the under surface of 
the body white, and a dark line running from the ear through the eye towards the 
nose. The fur itself is of a somewhat coarse and bristly nature. In form the 
animal is characterised by its long but broad head, and narrow, elongated muzzle, 
moderate-sized and somewhat pointed ears, elongated body, short limbs, and long 
bushy tail. In the fore-feet the first and fifth claws are considerably shorter than 
the others; while in the hind-foot there is no external trace of the first toe. The 
banded anteater is one of the few Marsupials in which the female has no pouch; 
the young, when first born, being merely concealed by the long hair of the belly as 
