104 MAMMALIA. 



six inferior iiici>nrs, and bcliiml the canines four eomprci^sea molars in eacli jaw, anrl finally fo\ir small 

 molars above, and ii\e bclttw, tlie latter pectinated inlrrnally in consequence of the irregularity of 

 attrition ; tlie canine i»f tlie Inwer jaw is mucii ineiirvrd. The form of this animal is siniilar lo that of 

 a S(|uirrel, liut ^\ith a long and poinred muzzle, as in the Banxring : it has no thumlj to the hind-foot. 



The JJnndt'il Myrmecohe (M.fasc'tala, Waterh.) — Size of a Rat, and barred on the crupjier similarly to the Thy- 

 laciiie, but with white bands on a reddish g^round tint. Tlie only specimens at present known were procured at 

 Swan River scttlenn.'nt, Australia. Tliis animal has been supposed to present the nearest living apjiroach to the 

 fossil T/ii/lacot/ier/ttm of the secondary lias.] 



The Bandicoots (Prrame/es, Goof. ; Tl/ylocis, Illig-) — 

 Have the hinder thundi short, as in the ilr&t Dasyures, and the two following toes joined hy the skin as 

 f;ir as the cdaws ; the ihund) anrl little toe of their fore-feet are reduced to simple tubercles, so that 

 there seem lo be oidy three tO''s : the superior incisive teeth are ten in number, the most hindward 

 p(unted, and wddely separated from the rest ; below there are only six, [the posterior bilobate] ; but 

 tlieir molars are the same as in the Opossums, [though less angular internally]. Their tail is hairy, 

 and not prehcn^,ile. Tli^y inhabit Australia. The great elaws of their fore-feet, almost straight, 

 announce the haliit of iligging into the ground, and their rather Imig hind-feet that their gait is rapid. 

 [Their ccecum is of middle size, as in the Opossums, to which they are approxinnated by I'rof. Owen.] 



The Loni^-nosed Bandicoot {P. naiufiis-, Geof.)— Muzzle Aery much elongated ; the ears pointed ; fur a jj-reyish 

 brown. It resembles, at the lirst <,'-lance, a Tenrec. The P. obesula, Geof., is not so authentic, [the latter is 

 n(tw well established, as also anothei-, P. Guiinii, from Van Dicnien's Land, which is very generally diffused 

 thi-ou;,Miout that island ; it lives principally on bulbs, but also on insects. Two ur throe more have been indi- 

 dicated, one of which, P. lagoiis, Reid, is ranj;-ed by Prof. Owen us 



The Philander {Thalacoiynja, Owen), — 

 The superior hindward incisor of which is close to the others, and the muzzle very long, and abruptly 

 attenuated: auditory bulLx remarkably large, and divided posteriorly. The ears long, and the tail also 

 long and bushy. 



Tlie only known species (Per. hii/otis, Reid)— is a ninible-lookin;? and handsome animal ; greyish, and as large 

 as the ciminion Opossmn. From New Suuth \Vales.] 



In the second subdivision of Marsupials, there are two large and long incisors in the lower 

 jaw, with pointed and trenchant edges sloping forwards, and six corresponding teeth in the 

 upper <nie. The superior canines are still \n\\'^ ;ind pointed; hut those of the lower jaw arc so 

 small that the}' are often hithlen in the gum : in the last subgenus there are even none below. 



Their regimen is in great part frugivurous; henee their intestines, and partieularl)- the 

 ccecum, are much longer than in the Opossums. Thev have all a large thumb, so se[)arated 

 from the other digits that it seems directed backward as in lairds : it has no nail, and the two 

 following fingers are joined by the skin as far as the last i)lialanx. It is frtnn this eneum- 

 stance that they have derived their name of 



Phalangers [Fhaldngiata, Cuv.) 

 The Restricted Phalaxgeks {Balanlia, lUig.) — 

 Have not the skin of the flank extended : they have on each jaw four back molars, all of which present 

 individually four points, ranged in two rows ; and before these a large one, conically compressed; also, 

 between this and the upper canine, two small and pointed teeth, to whicii correspond the very small 

 teeth below, of which we have spoken : their tad is always prehensile. 



In some it is in great part scaly. They inhabit trees in the Molucca islands, where they feed on 

 insects and fruit. At the sight of a man they suspend themselves by the tail ; and if he gazes at them 

 sleaddy for some thne, they fall through lassitiLde. They diffuse an offensive odour, notwithstanding 

 which their Ilesh is eaten. 



Several species are known, of various size and colours, all of which are comprchendeil under the D'nlrlphis 

 orieniali.s of Linn;eus. [Those in which the tail is paiily scaiy ai'e peculiar to the Molurca islands, and constitute 

 the division Ciiscns of some systematists. Fi\"e are eiuinierated hy the author, who follows Tennninck,] 



In others, ^^hich have hitherto been found in New Holland only, the tail is bain,' to the tip. 



