4. DEOMICIA. 141 



Dentitinn-—! ^-^"^ fl i P Kor J) -O-SCoi-g) .4 mr i.2.3.0(or4) 



=(at most, normally) 17+3x2=40. 



tipper i.' much longer than i.^ and i.', slightly spatulate. 1? and 

 i.' about equal in height, but the former only about half the size 

 of the latter in cross section. Canine long and strong, placed some 

 distance behind i.' Premolars variable; p.* always large and 

 strong, but p.^ and p.' either minute and probably almost functionless, 

 or well developed and functional. Molars evenly rounded, each 

 (except the last) with four small smooth cusps ; m.* either present 

 or absent. Lower p.* either large and functional or minute. 

 Small intermediate teeth three or four (rarely five) in number. Molars 

 as in the upper jaw. Milk p.* not as yet found, probably minute 

 and early deciduous. 



Range. New Guinea, Western Australia, and Tasmania. 

 ' This genus is evidently intermediate between Aerohates and 

 Petaurus, and has apparently had to give way; to these more highly 

 specialized and, presumably, later forms wherever the two have 

 come in contact. Of this the distribution of the genus is a curious 

 example, since it is isolated in the three places most conspicuous 

 for their retention of ancient forms — New Guinea, Western Australia, 

 and Tasmania, while no species appears now to live in the temperate 

 parts of Eastern Australia *, where the more highly developed 

 genera above referred to have their principal home, and where, 

 judging by its present distribution, Dromicia must obviously at one 

 time have lived. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



I. EXTEENAI, ChABACTBBS. 



A. Belly-hairs slate-coloured basally. 



a. Size small; head and body less than 85 



millim., lower leg than 20 millim., hind 



foot than 13 millim. Tasmania 1. J), lepida, p. 142. 



b. Size large ; the above dimensions all exceeded 



in adults, 

 o^. Tail long, more than 120 millim. Dark 

 mark through eye strongly defined. 



' New Guinea 2. D. caudata, p. 143. 



S'. Tail medium, less than 120 millim. 



Darker eye-mark indistinct. Tasmania. 3. D. nana, p. 144. 



B. Belly-hairs pure white. 



c. Size small, as in D. lepida. Eye-mark almost 



obsolete. West Australia 4. D. concinna, p. 146. 



II. Cbaniai, Chabactees. 



A . Lower p.* large, as high as molars. 



a. Molars 1 

 4 



a^. Size small, ms.^-' less than 3 millim. 



Upper p.' and p.' triangular, double- 



* See footnote to D. nana, p. 146. 



