NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



103 



RED FOX. 



The Tasmanian Wolf, or Thylacine, (Thylacinus cyno- 

 cephalus), is a very strange-looking and interesting creature, 

 about the size of a pointer dog. Its color is dark yellowish 

 brown, and it has a series of broad black stripes, or bands, 

 running across its hind quarters and loins. The wide gape 

 of its mouth reminds one of an iguana or a monitor. 



This animal, fully named above, is the largest of the car- 

 nivorous marsupials of Australia, and the female possesses 

 an abdominal pouch in which she carries her young, like 

 a kangaroo. It is now found only in Tasmania, and it dwells 

 amongst rocks, in rugged and mountainous regions. Be- 

 cause of its depredations upon the sheep herds, the Thyla- 

 cine has been diligently hunted and destroyed, and now 

 living specimens rarely are taken. 



In the zoological gardens of Europe and America, this 

 species usually is kept in heated buildings, but it has been 

 ascertained by experiment that this specimen thrives best 

 in the open air. Living examples in captivity are now so 

 very rare it is a difficult matter to keep one constantly on 

 exhibition. 



THE OTTER POOLS, No. 31. 



The American Otter, (Lutra canadensis), is unfortunate 

 in being the bearer of valuable fur ; and in the northern 

 regions, where the cold causes the development of fur that 



