158 



PIG-FOOTED BANDICOOT 



known, burrows in the soil, whence it extracts grubs ; it is also 

 a grass-feeder, and it is said that its likeness to a Babbit in 

 appearance is strengthened by its similarity in flavour ! 



Pcrumdes is a genus consisting of twelve species, which are 

 found in Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. Like the last 

 genus, from whicli it does not widely differ in other points, 

 Perumehs consists of species which combine insectivorous and 

 vegetarian habits. One species is said to become in captivity an 

 expert in catching mice. The pouch opens backwards, and there 

 are six or eight mammae. 



The last genus of this family is CJioerojJus, containing but 

 one species, Oh. castanotis. It is confined to the Australian con- 



Fia. 87. — Pig-footert Bandicoot. Choeropus castanotis. x J. 



tinent. It is to be distinguished from the last two by the fact 

 that there are only two functional digits, the second and third, 

 in the fore-limb ;- the fourth is rudimentary ; the other two are 

 absent. It burrows, and is omnivorous like its allies. The two 

 metacarpals that are developed are very long and closely apposed ; 

 they have hence a remarkably pig-like aspect, and justify its 

 name. The pouch opens backwards, and there are eight mammae. 

 Fam. 4. Notoryctidae. — This family contains but a single 

 genus and species, the recently-discovered JVoforyctes typMops} 



1 See for an account of this animal, Professor Stirling's Memoir in Trans. Roy. 

 Soc. S. Australia, 1891, p. 154, and Gado», Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 361. 



