KOALA — WOMBATS 237 



seen on the ground, where they dig for roots, their food is chiefly formed by the 

 leaves of the blue-gum, and they accordingly spend most of their time in those trees, 

 where they creep along the boughs in the shades of evening and at night, the 

 • females carrying their young on their backs. As a rule, these animals pass the 

 day in repose in the tree-tops, but occasionally they may be seen in daylight 

 climbing in pairs among the branches. When disturbed, they utter loud, hoarse 

 grunts, sometimes described as shrill yells, recalling those of sloths. The feet, with 

 their long claws, are well adapted for clinging, the thumb and its claw being so 

 formed that the hands can grasp by means of this and the other claws. In 

 appearance koalas are clumsy, and distinguished from phalangers by the absence 

 of a tail ; while they are also noticeable for their large, broad ears, thickly covered 





PIGMY FLYING-PHALANGER. 



with brownish grey hair. The general colour is yellowish white on the hind- 

 quarters, and white beneath, and the coat is extremely thick and soft. In length 

 a full-grown koala will measure about 20 inches. 



Although, like the koala, wombats present some resemblance to 

 Wombats. ni» 



small bears, they may more aptly be compared to large rodents, 



which they resemble in habits, as well as to some extent in dentition. Wombats 



live in burrows of their own making, or in clefts and crevices among rocks. 



Purely nocturnal in habits, they feed on roots, grass, and other vegetable substances. 



When disturbed, they utter a sort of hiss, and on rare occasions will bite when 



attacked, although in general they may be easily captured, and when once in 



confinement offer no resistance. The front, or incisor, teeth are powerful and 



chisel-shaped, with no enamel on the back, and without roots, so that they grow 



