S70 MAMMALS. ^ 



genus Phascogale are small and insectivorous. The banded 

 ant-eater (MyrmecoHus) of Wl. and S. Australia, a somewhat 

 squirrel-like animal, has a long thread-like protrusible tongue 



and more teeth than any other Marsupial -. 



w, ' ,- 3135 or 6 



Family Peramelidze: — The burrowing bandicoots, all small in size, 

 insectivorous or omnivorous in diet. In the fore-feet, two or 

 three of the middle toes are well-developed and clawed, the 

 others being rudimentary; in the hind-feet, the hallux is small 

 or absent, the second and third toes are very slender and united 

 in the same fold of skin, the fourth toe is very large, the fifth 

 smaller, — the whole foot suggesting that of the kangaroo. The 

 stomach is simple, the caecum not large. Clavicles are absent. 



Dentition, i^^-i?*. 

 3 134 

 Examples: — The true bandicoot (Peram'eles) ; the native rabbit 

 (Peragale lagotis); the rat-like Ckosropus. 



B. DiPROTODONTlA. " Incisors usually-; the first large and 



cutting; the upper canines generally, the lower canines always 

 small or absent ; the molars with bluntly tuberculated or trans- 

 versely ridged crowns." 

 Family Phascolomyidoe : — The Wombats, terrestrial, vegetarian 

 nocturnal Marsupials, somewhat bear-like in appearance. The 



dentition is rodent-like, •°-*, the teeth have persistent pulps, the 



incisors are chisel-edged, there being no enamel except in front. 

 The fore-feet have five distinct toes with strong nails; the hind- 

 feet have a small nailless hallux, the second, third, and fourth 

 toes partly united by skin, the fifth distinct. The tail is very 

 short. The stomach is simple, the caecum very short. 



There is but one genus — Phascolomys, with three species. 

 Family Phalangeridse : — Small woolly arboreal nocturnal Marsupials, 

 with vegetarian or mixed diet. The fore-feet have five distinct 

 toes ; the hind-feet have a large, nailless, opposable hallux, the 

 second and third toes are narrow and bound together by skin, the 

 fourth and fifth free. The tail is generally long and prehensile. 

 The stomach is simple, the caecum usually large. Average 



dental formula, -^— ^ — . 



I, o, 0-2, 3-4 



Examples: — The grey Cuscus (PMlanger orientalis); Tarsipes, a 

 ■ small mouse-like animal which feeds on honey, and is remark- 

 able in having no inflection of the angle of the mandible and 

 no caecum; the flying phalangers (Pe(aurus), with a parachute 

 of skin extending from the little finger to the ankle; the 

 Koala or "native bear" (Phascolarcios diteieus), a relatively 

 large form about two feet in length. 

 Family Macropodidse: — Kangaroos, herbivorous terrestrial Marsupials. 



Dentition, - — '-^. The incisors are sharp and suited for 

 I, o, 2, 4 ^ 



cropping herbage. The hind-legs" are usually larger than the 



