THE VULPINE PHALANGIST. ii 
only venturing from its retreat as evening draws on. The nature of its food 
is of a mixed character, for the creature is capable of feeding on vegetable 
food, like the Petaurists, and also displays a considerable taste for animal 
food of all kinds. If a small bird be given to a Vulpine Phalangist, the 
creature seizes it in its paws, manipulates it adroitly for a while, and then 
tears it to pieces and eats it. It is rather a remarkable fact, that the animal 
is peculiarly fond of the brain, and always commences its feast by crushing 
the head between its teeth, and devouring the brain. 
In all probability, therefore, the creature makes no small portion of its 
meals on various animal substances, such as insects, reptiles, and eggs. As 
to the birds on which it so loves to feed, it may very probably, although so 
slow an animal, capture them in the same manner as has been related of the 
lemurs, viz. by creeping slowly and cautiously upon them as they sleep, and 
swiftly seizing them before they can awaken to a sense of their danger. It 
is a tolerably large animal, equalling a large cat in dimensions, and is, there- 
fore, able to make dire havoc among such prey whenever it chooses to issue 
VULPINE PHALANGIST.—(Phalangista vulpina.) 
forth with the intention of making a meal upon some small bird that may 
chance to be sleeping in fancied security. 
The fore-paws of the Vulpine Phalangist are well adapted for such pro- 
ceedings, as they are possessed of great strength and mobility, so that the 
animal is able to take up any small object in its paws, and to hold it after 
the manner of the common squirrel. When feeding, it generally takes its 
food in its fore-paws, and so conveys it to its mouth. In captivity it does not 
seem to be a very intelligent animal, even when night brings forth its time of 
energy, and it but little responds to the advances of its owner, however kind 
he may be. It will feed on bread and milk, or fruits, or leaves, or buds, or 
any substance of a similar nature, but always seems best pleased when it is 
supplied with some small birds or animals, and devours them with evident 
lee. 
2 The flesh of the Vulpine Phalangist is considered to be very good, and the 
natives are so fond of it that, notwithstanding the laziness that is engrained 
in their very beings, except when they are under the influence of some potent 
excitement, they can seldom refrain from chasing an “ opossum,” even though 
