UAESCPIALIA. 319 



Many are exceedingly like the Insectivora in the structure of their teeth, 

 but possess a much greater number, and the incisors especially are more 

 numerous than in true placental mammals, being in some cases ten above, 

 and eight below. They possess canines also, and sharply tubercled molars. 

 Such are the Opossums, Peramelid^, Perameles, JDidelpMs, Myrmecohiits, 

 &c. They mostly possess a small coecum. 



Others with fewer and more powerful teeth represent the Carnivora, and 

 these want the coecum. Such are the Dasyueid^, Dasyurus, Thylacinus, 

 Sarcophilus, and others, popularly called Wild Cats, Wolves or Hyaenas, 

 and native Devils. 



Others have two large and long incisors in the lower jaw, with pointed 

 and trenchant edges sloping forwards, and six corresponding teeth in their 

 upper jaw. The upper canines are long and pointed. Their diet is chiefly 

 frugivorous, and their intestines long, with a large coecum. Such are the 

 Phalangers and Petaurists, Phalangistid^, Plialangista and Petaurus, 

 &c., which, in spite of their numerous teeth, would in many ways, really 

 appear to represent the Rodents. The Wombat indeed, Phascolomys, 

 Fam. PHAScoLOMYiDiE, is a true Rodent as to its teeth. It has a coecum 

 with a vermiform appendage. 



Some of large size, the Kangaroos, Mackopodidjs, Macropus, Halma- 

 turus, and others, have the stomach complicated, formed of two elongated 

 sacs inflated in places, and the coecum also large and inflated. They want 

 the upper canines, and the middle incisors are short. Their fore-feet are 

 diminutive, but the hind limbs are much developed, and with a nail like a 

 hoof. They are gentle herbivorous animals, living in troops, and making 

 enormous leaps. They would appear to faintly shadow forth the Rumin- 

 ants. 



Lastly, some want teeth altogether, and were included by Cuvier 

 among die Edentata, but are now, by universal consent, placed among 

 Marsupials, as they possess the marsupial bones, though without a pouch. 

 Such are the celebrated Duck-bill, Oimithorhynchus anatinus, and the 

 curious Spiny Echidna, sometimes placed in a distinct sub-class from Mar- 

 supials, viz., Monotremata, as they possess only one external opening for 

 all their excretions. In this and other points they somewhat resemble 

 birds, and at one time were thought to be Oviparous, but that is of course 

 erroneous. 



