798 DR. J. MURIE ON PHASCOLOMYS PLATYRHINUS. [Juue 27, 



14. On the Platyrhine Wombat [Phascolomijs platyrhinus, 

 Owen) . By James Murie, M.D.^ F.G.S., Prosector to 



the Society. 



(Plate XXXV.) 



In a former paper*, which T had the honour of laying before this 

 Society, I endeavoured to prove, from a study of the skulls and skins, 

 that the genus Phascolomys was represented only by three living 

 species, viz. P. wombat, P. platj/rhinus, and P. latifrons, and that 

 among fossil species one, P. maynus, could alone with propriety be 

 considered distmct from the recent animals. 



I then proposed that on a future occasion I should treat of the 

 comparative differences exhibited in the other parts of the osteology 

 of these three mentioned living species. 



Several circumstances have caused me to delay putting together 

 in the form of a communication the material then collected as notes. 

 Recently, however, I have obtained four more Wombats for compa- 

 rison. These afford such evidence of the general correctness of my 

 previously asserted views that I no longer defer completing my un- 

 finished labour. 



On my first investigation into the specific differences of the genus 

 Phascolomys I was much indebted to Mr. A. D. Bartlett for aid. 

 Again I have to express acknowledgements to him, as through his 

 kind mediation the four specimens of Wombat in question were gene- 

 rously placed at my disposal. 



Captain Smart, of the ship ' Murray,' received (in Adelaide, South 

 Australia) five living specimens of the Broad fronted Wombat {P. la- 

 tifrons), which he endeavoured to bring in safety to this country. 

 During the voyage three of them unfortunately died. The bodies, 

 however, were preserved by him in a strong brine, and one of them 

 reached me in such fair condition as to permit a tolerable minute 

 dissection of it to be made. Of the two others only the skeletons re- 

 mained perfect. One entire skin and the cranial portions of the skin 

 of its two companions I produce as satisfactory testimony that they 

 all three possess the hairy muzzle, smooth silky fur, and prominent 

 ears characteristic of P. latifrons. The skulls (which 1 now exhibit) 

 also help to remove any existing doubts, if such there should be, as 

 to error in the species. The two remaining living specimens, at pre- 

 sent in the Gardens, cannot be mistaken specifically, and they agree 

 in characters with the above-mentioned skin. 



Besides the three carcasses spoken of, a still more acceptable boon, 

 because of its rarity, was granted me — namely the examination of the 

 body of a noble-sized Wombat, a thorough representative of P. ^j/a- 

 tyrhinus. This animal had been purchased alive by a gentleman in 

 Sydney, New South Wales. During transport to this country it also 

 died. Partially preserved in brine along wiih the specimens of P. 



* " On the Identitj' of the Hairy-nosed Wombat (P/iaicolomys lasiorhinus, 

 Gould) with the Broad-fronted Wombat {P. latifrons, Owen), With further Obser- 

 vations on the several Species of the Genus," F. Z. S, 1865, p. 808. 



