22 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
most natural. As. pointed out, however, by Flower and Lydekker, “Mammals Living 
and Extinct,” p. 166, the resemblance between the limbs and habits of the Tree 
Kangaroos and the Phalangers must have been independently acquired. The family 
of the Phalangeridz: embraces many very dissimilar structural forms, including some 
of the most beautiful representatives of their order. Almost all the species are 
remarkable for the extreme softness and richness of their fur, the black Opossum, 
Phalangista fuliginosa, from the colder climate of Tasmania, outrivalling the others 
in this respect. For symmetry of form and grace and agility of movement, 
however, the palm must undoubtedly, be given to their near allies the “Flying 
Opossums,” or so-called “Flying Squirrels,” pertaining to the genera Petaurus, 
Petauroides and Acrobates. Here we have a_ structural modification in all 
ways identical with what occurs in the true Indian Flying Squirrels, Pteromys and 
Sciopterus, of the order Rodentia, which consists of a parachute-like membrane 
that extends between the fore and hind limbs. With this accessory locomotive 
apparatus the flying Phalangers have little or no occasion to descend, as do the 
ordinary opossums, to the ground between the component trees of the vast Eucalyptus 
forests in which they take up their abode, intervening chasms of one hundred. feet or 
more being readily surmounted with the aid of the extended parachute. The largest 
species of Flying Opossum, Petauroides volans, has a body equalling in dimensions that 
of a large cat, and with its thick fur and long bushy tail it bears a by no 
means inconsiderable resemblance to the French or Persian variety of our domestic 
Grimalkin. The portraits of a remarkably beautiful, albino example of this species 
that was in the author's possession in Queensland, are given on page 25. It was 
obtained near Brisbane. Although the fur throughout was a rich creamy white, 
the eyes were not pink but retained the rich brown lustre of the normal 
individuals. Being almost exclusively nocturnal or crepuscular in its-habits, the many 
attempts to secure a successful photograph from life of this Opossum by daylight 
proved abortive and the one here reproduced, with pendant tail, in the act of 
feeding, was taken by the author at night, with the aid of a magnesium flash-lamp. 
The abnormally long furry tail of this Flying Phalanger is not prehensile, as 
with the majority of the ordinary opossums, and when the animal is leisurely 
browsing, as in the portrait referred to, usually hangs laxly at full length. At other 
times, when walking along or resting on a branch, this animal manifested the singular’ 
habit of coiling its tail in a tight revolute coil like that of a watch spring or a- 
butterfly’s proboscis, as shown in the drawing from life, reproduced in the lower 
