MARSUPIATA. 



103 



The Yapacli (Did. palmain, Geof. ; Lutra memina, Bodd, tip;. 42) frequents the rivers of Guiana. 



All the other Marsupials inhabit eastern 

 countries, and especially New Holland ; a 

 land of which the niainmiferous population 

 seems even to consist principally of ani- 

 mals of this group. 



[The three next geuera, and probably 

 tlic fourth, possess n;) ccecum.] 



The Tr-iYLAciNES [IViylacan's, Tem.) — 

 Are the largest of this first division : they 

 are distinguished from the Opossums by 

 the hind-feet having no thumb, by a hairy 

 and not prehensile tail, and two incisors 

 less to each jaw ; their molars are of the 

 same number. They have accordingly 

 forty-six teeth ; but the external edge of 

 the three large ones is projecting and 



'^WhSdm 





Fi^. 42.— TlieYi.pach. 



trenchant, almost like the carnivorous tooth of a Dog : their ears arc liairy, and of middle size. 



But one [living] species is known, a native of Van Diemen's Land.— Size tliat of a [snjiill] \VoIf, but lower on the 

 legs ; of a greyish colour, "barred with black across the crupper (Did, cynocephala, Harris). It is very carnivorous, 

 and pursues all small quadrupeds. [This animal does not tisli, as has been stated ; nor is its tail compressed : it 

 is principally nocturnal, and is called Ti(^er a.nd IL/cena in its native island.] A fossd species of Thylacine has 

 been found in the gypsum quarries of Paris. 



TriE Phascogales {P/iascor/ale, Tem.) — 

 Have the same numher of tectlt as the Thylacines ; hut their middle incisors are longer tlian the 

 others, and their Ijack molars more sharply tuherculated, in v\'hich respect they rather approximate the 

 Opossums. They are also alhed to them by their small size ; the tail, however, is not prehensile : 

 their posterior thumbs, though very^ short, are still distinctly apparent. 



[Four species are now known, varying from the size of a Rat to that of a Mouse : they inhabit New Holland and 

 Van Diemen's Land, where they live on trees, and pursue insects.] 



The Dasyuues (Daai/iD-vs, Geof.) — 

 Have two incisors and four grinders in each jaw less than the Opossums, so that they have only forty- 

 two teeth ; and their tail, everywhere covered with long hairs, is not prehensile. The hinder thumb 

 is reduced to a mere tubercle, or even quite disappears, [as in the Thylacine]. They inhabit New 

 Holland, and subsist on insects and dead carcases ; they even penetrate into houses, where their 

 voracity is very inconvenient. Their mouth is not so wide*, and tlie muzzle [much] less pointed, than 

 ill the Opossums ; their ears also are shorter, and hairy. They do not ascend trees. 



The Ursine Dasyure (Did. «r^?na, Harris). — Long coarse black hairs, 1^■ith some white markings; the tail 

 half as long as the body, almost naked ^^nderneath. Inhabits the north of Van Diemen's Land, and is 

 nearly the size of a Badger. [This species, wdiich is of common occurrence, is designated in Van Diemen's Land 

 f/te Devil: it is nocturnal, and very destructive to Sheep, of a fierce disposition, bites severely, and is a match for 

 an ordinary Dog: in common with the rest of its tribe, including the Thylacyar, it often sits on its haunches, and 

 clf^ans its head with its fore-paws.] 



The long-tailed Dtisyure (Das. WMcrourus^ Geof.)— Size of a Cat, with the tail as long as the body ; fur bro^vn, 

 spotted with white both on the body and tail. The tubercle of the thumb is still well marked in this species, but 

 i>! the following it can no more be seen. 



Mange's Dasyure [Das. Maugii^ Geof.)— Rather smaller than the preceding, of an olive colour, spotted with 

 wbiteboth on the body and tail : and lastly, D/'rf. viverritia, Shaw; which is black, spotted with white, and no spots 

 on t lie tail; a third less than the first. [These are still the only ascertained species, though it is probable that others 

 remain confounded. Tlie last is termed Wikl Cat in Van Diemen's Land, and is very destructive to poultry, of 

 wiiicli it only sucks the blood. These animals apply the entire sole of the hind-foot to the ground when standing. 



The Myrmecobe {Mirrmecobius, Watcrh.) — 



Has the greatest number of teeth of any known marsupial, frfty-two in all; namely, eight upper and 



• ] hfive been itiul-)i .T;t..in:^liL='l on witiiessinR tlje iim^iziii^'ly wide .,-ftpe of tlie UrsiJie r>asyure-— Ed. 



