140 MARSUPIALIA 
a long tail with the terminal part bushy, is distinguished from 
Sminthopsis by the absence of the hallux and the great elongation 
of the limbs. The tympanic bull of the skull are also unusually 
large, with the mastoid portion much swollen. A full account of 
the habits and anatomy of this animal, which appears to be of very 
rare occurrence, is given in the Proc. Zool. Soc. 1880, p. 454. 
Subfamily Myrmecobiinze.—Molars and premolars exceeding 
the normal number of seven on each side. Tongue, long cylindrical, 
and extensile. 
Afyrmecobius.\—Dentition : i 4,¢4, p 2 
,m£or &; total 52 or 56, 
Fic. 41.—Myrmecobius fusciatus. From Gould. 
being the largest number of teeth in any existing Marsupial. The 
distinction between the molars and premolars is founded not on 
a knowledge of the succession of the teeth, but on their form. The 
teeth are all small and (except the four posterior inferior molars) 
separated from each other by an interval. Head elongated, but 
broad behind. Muzzle long and pointed. Ears of moderate size, 
ovate, and rather pointed. Fore feet with five toes, all having 
strong, pointed, compressed claws, the second, third, and fourth 
nearly equal, the fifth somewhat, and the first considerably, shorter. 
Hind feet with no trace of hallux externally, but the metatarsal bone 
1 Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Suv. 1836, p. 69. 
