220 AUSTRALIAN AND TASMANI AN ANIMALS 



Smaller still are the pretty little marsupials commonly known 

 Pouched Mice. „ ,\ ,[ r J , ,. 



as pouched mice, of which there are numerous representatives. 



These marsupials have pointed, rather long tails, large, round, naked ears, and 

 short, broad feet, with a nailless, although distinct first hind-toe. The tail is 

 sometimes bushy throughout, sometimes nearly bare, and occasionally crested. In 

 habits pouched-mice resemble the tupais, or tree-shrews, of tropical Asia, dwelling 

 in the branches of trees, where they obtain their insect-food, and in the holes of 

 which they make nests for themselves and their numerous young. Pouched-mice 

 may be divided into two groups according to coloration and habitat, the exclu- 

 sively Papuan species having a stripe along the line of the back, which is wanting 

 in the other members of the group. A well-known kind is the yellow-footed 

 pouched-mouse {Phascologale flavipes), which ranges from New Guinea to South 

 Australia, but is unknown in Tasmania. Another kind, also unknown in the last- 

 named island, but ranging over the whole of the Australian continent, is the brush- 

 tailed pouched-mouse (P. penicillata), an animal somewhat larger and more strongly 

 built than the yellow-footed species, with bigger ears, and the tip of the tail evenly 

 tufted instead of short-haired. 



Narrow-footed Nearly allied are the narrow-footed pouched-mice, which are 



Pouched-Mice, confined to Australia and Tasmania, and, unlike the members of the 

 preceding group, never ascend trees. Some of the species resemble ordinary 

 pouched-mice in possessing ten teats, and are thus able to rear a large progeny. 

 The females of the common narrow-footed pouched-mouse (Sminthopsis murina), 

 a species inhabiting all Australia, have, however, only eight teats. This animal is 

 about 7 inches long, inclusive of the tail, which is equal in length to the head 

 and body. The longest kind, S. virginice, known as yet only from Queensland, 

 measures about 10 inches from the head to the tip of the tail. 



From central Australia has been obtained a small marsupial 



Du.sviiroid.6s 



which is to a great extent intermediate between the typical and the 

 narrow-footed pouched-mice, and has therefore been referred to a separate genus, 

 under the name of Dasyuroides byrnei. With the exception of the tail, it presents 

 a marked general resemblance to the pouched-mouse known as Phascologale 

 cristata, but is of larger size and stouter make, and lacks the first toe of the hind- 

 foot, while in shape this foot is different from that of either of the allied genera. 



Jerboa Of quite a different type is the elegant and graceful little 



Pouched-Mouse, creature known as the jerboa pouched-mouse (Antechinomys laniger), 

 which is the sole member of its genus. In addition to the great elongation of the 

 hind-limbs, to which it owes its English name, this species is characterised by the 

 absence of the first hind-toe, as well as by the long and pointed form of the 

 muzzle, the oval ears, and a tail considerably longer than the head and body. In 

 habits it is singularly jerboa-like, and in distribution is restricted to New South 

 Wales and Queensland. 



It has been suggested that the leaping habits of this species, like those of the 

 Australian jerboa-rats, are a special adaptation to a life in dry sandy districts. In 

 the Report of the Horn Expedition to Central Australia, it has, however, been 

 pointed out that it is difficult to see what particular advantage is gained by this 

 mode of progression. The country where they are usually found is dotted with 



