191 



even to see, a specimen failed during the short visit paid to 

 the island (February 11, 1922). 



St. Francis Island at one time possessed a rat, which is 

 said to have been quite unlike the house or ship rat, and is 

 described as distinctly "bluish" in colour. This species has 

 long since been exterminated on this inhabited island. 



On Flinders Island is a rat of which no specimen has so 

 far been obtained, but it is almost certainly R. rattus, since 

 it is remembered that the rat was first seen in the island after 

 a vessel had been wrecked upon the shore. 



Pearson Island is probably the home of two Murines, 

 and it is hoped that these species may one day be made 

 known to science. 



Fig. 10. 

 Arctocephul'us forsteri. Left hindlimb, young male. 



Bahhits. 

 Flinders Island alone possesses the unenviable distinction 

 ■of having a rabbit population. These animals were turned 

 down many years ago, and for the most part they are black, 

 or black and white in colour. It is a great pity that, with 

 the continent of Australia as an object lesson, these animals 

 should be .tolerated on the island, which one day they will 

 doubtless overrun. 



Cuts. 



Cats were liberated many years ago on St. Francis Island. 

 For a time they multiplied exceedingly, and have been respon- 

 sible for the extermination of at least one interesting mar- 

 supial species. Of late years they have been decreasing, and 

 it is to be hoped that the stock is a dying one. 



