OEDEE OF MAESUPIALS. 



19 



Broad- fronted Wombat (P. latifrom). The bones of an extinct 

 species (P. magntos) have also been satisfactorily determined. 



The Wombat is a thick-set dumpy animal, with no tail, a broad 

 head, thick coat, and is a flat-footed walker. It has short ears 

 and middling-sized eyes. It burrows in the ground, and lives on 

 vegetable substances, especially roots. Of a mild but stupid 

 character, it can be easily tamed, and might be made very 

 profitable, for its flesh is good, and its fur, though coarse, might 



Pm^-J^^ 



rig. 3.— Common Wombat (P/tascoIomi/.'; u-omhaf). 



be turned to some account. It would be worth while then to 

 endeavour to acclimatise these animals in Europe. They inhabit 

 New Holland and Tasmania. Size that of an ordinary Dog. 



The Family of Svndactyles. — The Sj'ndactyles {<jvv, with or 

 together, gaXruXoe, a finger or toe) are thus named because they 

 have the second and third toes of the posterior members joined 

 together under a common skin as far as the nail. The number of 

 toes varies, however, according to the genera. The Syndactyles 



c2 



