370 



THE VULPINE PHALANGIST. 



well worthy of notice. The tail is, to all appearance, entirely covered with a heavy coating of 

 thick, long, and loose hair, but if that member be lifted up, so as to expose the under surface, 

 and carefully examined, it will be seen that at the extremity the tail is bare of fur, and that a 

 naked stripe runs for some little distance from the tip towards the base. During the lifetime 

 of the animal, this naked stripe, together with the nose and the soles of the feet, are of a light 

 flesh color. 



Fox-like in nature as well as in form, the Vulpine Phalangist has well earned the 

 name which has been given to it by common consent. It has also been entitled the Vulpine 

 Opossum, and in its native country is popularly called by the latter of these names. 



It is an extremely common animal, and 

 , i, .'•■.',, 3j|31 „ -::> is the widest diffused of all the Australian 



opossum-like animals. Like the preceding 

 animals, it is a nocturnal being, residing 

 during the day in the hollows of decaying 

 trees, and only venturing from its retreat as 

 evening draws on. The nature of its food is 

 of a mixed character, for the creature is 

 capable of feeding on vegetable food, like 

 the Petaurists, and also displays a consider- 

 able taste for animal food of all kinds. If 

 a small bird be given to a Vulpine Phalan- 

 gist, the creature seizes it in its paws, ma- 

 nipulates it adroitly for a while, and then 

 tears it to pieces and eats it. It is rather 

 a remarkable fact, that the animal is pecu- 

 liarly fond of the brain, and always com- 

 mences its feast by crushing the head be- 

 tween its teeth and devouring the brain. 



In all probability, therefore, the creature 

 makes no small portion of its meals on va- 

 rious animal substances, such as insects, rep- 

 tiles, and eggs. As to the birds on which 

 it so loves to feed, it may very probably, 

 although so slow an animal, capture them 

 in the same manner as has been related of 

 the lemurs, viz., by creeping slowly and cau- 

 tiously upon them as they sleep, and swiftly 

 seizing them before they can awaken to a 

 sense of their danger. It is a tolerably large animal, equalling a large cat in dimensions, 

 and is, therefore, able to make dire havoc among such prey whenever it chooses to issue forth 

 with the intention of making a meal upon some small bird that may chance to be sleeping in 

 fancied security. 



The fore-paws of the Vulpine Phalangist are well adapted for such proceedings, as they 

 are possessed of great strength and mobility, so that the animal is able to take up any small 

 object in its paws, and to bold it after the manner of the common squirrel. "When feeding, 

 it generally takes its food in its fore-paws, and so conveys it to its mouth. In captivity it 

 does not seem to be a very intelligent animal, even when night brings forth its time of energy, 

 and it but little responds to the advances of its owner, however kind he may be. It will feed 

 on bread and milk, or fruits, or leaves, or buds, or any substance of a similar nature, but 

 always seems best pleased when it is supplied with some small birds or animals, and devours 

 them with evident glee. 



The flesh of the Vulpine Phalangist is considered to be very good, and the natives are so 

 fond of it that, notwithstanding the laziness that is engrained in their very beings, except 



VULPINE PHALANGIST.- Phalangista vulpina. 



