WOMBATS AND MOLE 
. . . Like most marsupials the wombats are essentially nocturnal animals, 
remaining concealed throughout the day in their subterranean quarters, 
whence they issue forth at night to feed... . Their food consists partly 
of grass and other herbage, but mainly of roots, which their powerful 
front teeth are admirably adapted to gnaw. From specimens kept in con- 
finement it appears that the female usually produces from three to four 
young at a birth, which are tended with great care and solicitude, until 
such time as they are able to shift for themselves. By no means active 
in their movements, and shuffling along with an awkward gait which calls 
to mind the progression of a young bear, the wombats are gentle and some- 
what stupid in disposition.” 
It may be added that the wombats, like the koala, have cheek pouches, 
and both animals store temporarily masses of food, and are otherwise of 
considerable likeness. Nearly 130,000 ‘“‘wombat” skins were sold at the 
fur auctions in London alone in 1905. 
Last of the diprotodonts are the two small species of opos- 
sum rat (raton runcho) of Colombia and Ecuador, the sole 
survivors of an almost extinct family (Epanorthide), repre- 
sented by many fossil remains in the Miocene rocks about 
Santa Cruz, Patagonia. The foremost peculiarity is that the 
toes of the hind feet are wholly free, not somewhat webbed 
as in the kangaroos and all other diprotodonts. Their pouch 
is almost rudimentary, their food is not vegetable, but mainly 
birds and their eggs, insects and the like; and all together these 
small American cousins of the phalangers stand at the foot 
of the list. With them we easily pass to the bandicoots, and 
so take up the Polyprotodontia. 
The distinction regards the teeth, which here, by numerous 
incisors, strong canines, and sharp cheek teeth, in-  potypro- 
dicate a flesh diet and predatory habits. The den- todos, 
tition of a bandicoot is much like that of a shrew, and an 
opossum has teeth like a weasel’s. This implies similar tastes 
and methods; and within this section will be found insect 
hunters as active, and beasts of prey as fierce, as any developed 
outside the marsupial world. 
Before taking up the group, however, a word should be 
5°5 
