116 ‘THE WOMBAT. 
The WomBAT, or AUSTRALIAN BADGER, a 
colonists, is so singularly unlike the preceding 
aspect and habits, that it might well be suppose 
order. 
As might be imagined from its heavy body and short legs, the Wombat is 
by no means an active animal, but trudges along at its own pace, with a heavy 
rolling waddle’ or hobble, like the gait of a very fat bear. It is found in 
almost all parts of Australia. The fur of the Wombat is warm, long, and 
very harsh to the touch, and its colour is grey, mottled with black and white. 
The under parts of its body are greyish white, and the feet are black. The 
muzzle is very broad and thick. The length of the animal is about three 
teet, the head measuring seven inches, 
s it is popularly called by the 
and succeeding animals in its 
d to belong to quite a different 
WOMBAT. —(Phascolomys ursinus.) 
It is nocturnal in its habits, living during the day in the depths ofa 
capacious burrow, which it excavates in the earth to such a depth that even 
the persevering natives will seldom attempt to dig a Wombat out of its 
tunnel, 
The creature seems to be remarkably sensitive to cold, considering the 
severe weather which often reigns in its native country. It is fond of hay, 
which it chops into short pieces with its knife-edged teeth. The natives say 
that if a Wombat is making a journey and happens to come across a river, 
it is not in the least discomfited, but walks deliberately into the river, across 
the bed of the stream, and, emerging on the opposite bank, continues its 
course as calmly as if no impediment had been placed in its way. 
The BANDICOOTS form a little group of animals that are easily recog- 
nisable by means of their rat-like aspect, and a certain peculiar but indescrib- 
able mode of carrying themselves. The gait of the Bandicoot is very 
singular, being a kind of mixture between jumping and running, which is the 
result of the formation of the legs and feet. 
