MARSUPIALS AND MONOTREMES 323 
THE TYPICAL PHALANGERS 
The typical PHALANGERS, or OpossuMs, 
as they are familiarly known throughout 
Australia, include a very considerable number 
of representatives, ranging in size from that 
of a small mouse to that of a full-grown 
cat. All are essentially arboreal in their 
habits, feeding principally on the leaves and 
flowers of the various gums. They are for 
the most part strictly nocturnal in their 
habits, and make their homes and retiring- 
places during the day in the hollow trunks 
and limbs that are of such abundant occur- 
rence in the periodically fire-swept Australian 
forests. Almost all the larger species are 
notable for the length, thickness, and ex- 
quisitely fine texture of their fur, a circum- 
stance for which they are consequently laid 
under heavy penalties for the sake of their 
pelts. The island colony of Tasmania, in the 
extreme south, with its colder climate, as 
might be anticipated, produces the finest 
qualities of these furs, that of the BLACK or 
Sooty OpossuM, whichis peculiar to theisland, 
being most highly prized. The length and 
furry character of their in many instances 
prehensile tails also form a conspicuous feature 
of this group. Nature, in fact, apparently 
distributed caudal material so over-liberally 
among these marsupials that the little koala 
had to make shift without. A nearly pure white example 
The group of the Phalanger Family 
popularly known as FLYING-SQUIRRELS, or more correctly as FLYING-PHALANGERS, is almost 
universally admitted to include some of the most beautiful of living mammals. In external 
structure, so far as their peculiar so-called “ flying” mechanism is concerned, these animals 
coincide in a remarkable manner with the true flying-squirrels, belonging to the Rodent Order, 
indigenous to the Asiatic and American Continents. In neither instance is there flight, in 
the true sense of the term, similar to that of birds and bats, but the fore and hind limbs are 
connected by a parachute-like membrane, which, outstretched when the animal leaps from tree 
to tree, buoys it up and enables its owner to traverse, in a straight and gradually descending 
line only, very considerable distances. 
The smaller squirrel-like form common to the south-eastern districts of Australia, and 
on account of its predilection for sweets commonly known as the SUGAR-SQUIRREL, makes a 
most charming little pet. For the most part addicted to sleep, and impatient at being disturbed 
during the day, towards sundown it wakes up, and is full of frolic. One such example was 
the writer’s traveling companion for a considerable interval in Western Australia. While 
remaining packed conveniently away in a small box throughout the day, it was accustomed 
to enjoy the liberty of whatever apartment its owner occupied in the evening and throughout 
the night, returning of its own accord to its sleeping-box with the approach of dawn. On 
one exceptional occasion, however, Master Tiny, as this individual was named, was missing in 
the morning from his accustomed crib, and a prolonged search and examination of every 
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S. 
LARGER FLYING-PHALANGER 
