234 



AUSTRALIAN AND TASMANIAN ANIMALS 



Australian Nearly related to cuscuses are the climbing marsupials known in 



opossums. Australia as opossums, but, as already mentioned, termed phalangers 

 by naturalists, who have transferred the scientific name Phalanger to the 

 animals first named. These Australian opossums are characterised by the hairy 

 outer surfaces of the ears and hairy posterior portion of the soles of the hind-feet, 

 as well as by the presence of a gland on the chest. The common species (Tricho- 



■■ '% 



AUSTRALIAN OPOSSUM. 



surus, or Phalanger, vulpecula) is one of the most abundant and characteristic of 

 Australian animals, dwelling in the tallest forest trees, amid which it climbs with 

 facility, aided by its prehensile tail. These opossums are active only at night, 

 remaining during the day snugly curled up in the holes of the lofty blue-gums, 

 whence they issue after sunset to make the forests resound with their noisy, chat- 

 tering cries, especially during the pairing-season. Their chief food consists of 

 leaves, to which is added occasionally the flesh of a bird. The female carries her 

 one or two young in her pouch while they are small, but later on bears them 



