376 



The Living Animals of the World 



here illustrated, from the neighbourhood 

 of Broome, in the farthest north or 

 Kimberley district of Western Australia. 

 This specimen, which was caught alive 

 in a rat-trap, exhibited astonishingly 

 potent gnawing powers, almost succeeding 

 one night in eating its way through the 

 wooden box in wliicli it was temporarily 

 confined. The habits of this species are 

 omni\-orous, and chiefly akin to those of 

 the ordinary rats, it being accustomed 

 to prowl round the out-buildings at 

 night, picking up any unconsidered trifles 

 in the way of food that may be left 

 unprotected. 



]\[anv of tlie smaller members of 

 this tribe aie no larger than mice; and 

 in one form, known as the Jerboa 

 Pouched Mouse, inhabiting Queensland 

 and New S(Hith Wales, the hind limbs 

 are alinormally prolonged, and the animal 

 progresses by leaps and bounds, after 

 the fashion of the true jerboas, or its 

 nearer relatives, the ordinary kangaroos 

 and rat-kangaroos. 



The Baxded Ant-Eater. 



piu.toi,, w. sa,-M,:-K,.,. F.Z.S.] iM,ijord.ou..-i,a. One of the most interesting from the 



BRusH-TAiLKD rouciiED MOUSK, OR pirAscoGALE. zoologist's staudpoiut, and the last on 



A Blemler and snicefnl animal, the largest of the thirteen known s]iecies, and OUr Hst of the Australian marSUpials, is 



ahont the .size of an ordinary, at ^],g jj^^j^ Creature, limited iu its habitat 



to Western Australia, locally known as the Suuhmjel. The Banded Ant-eater, with reference 

 to its striped ornamentation and ant-eating haliits. is tlie name by which it is usually chronicled 

 in natural history works. In size and shape, except for its more pointed snout, its squirrel- 

 like aspect is certainly somewhat striking. Like the true ant-eaters of the Edentate ^lammalian 

 Order, it, ho\ve\er, jiossesses a long protrusile tongue, with which it is accustomed in a similar 

 manner to lick up the ants which constitute its main food-supj)lv. 



The most interesting biological peculiarity of this animal is the almormal development 

 of its teeth. These number as many as from tifty-two to fifty-six, and exceed the dental 

 formula of any otlier known existing marsupial. The usual colour of this interesting little 

 animal is a warm chestnut-lirown, banded transversely over the back with white, these stripes 

 being widest and m(jst conspicuous over the hindtjuarters. This somewhat paradoxical marsupial 

 possesses no pouch, the young, wlien first born and attached to the nipples in the manner 

 characteristic of ordinary marsupials, being covered over and concealed among the longer hairs 

 that clothe the abdominal region. In the dasyures, or native cats, previously described, the 

 pouch exists only in a rudimentary condition, its function being fulfilled by merely a few 

 skin-folds ; while in the " tiger " and native de\il the pouch, contrary to that of the kangaroos, 

 opens backwards. 



In dispjosition tlie lianded ant-eater presents a marked contrast to that of many of the 

 preceding ty2)es. Caught in its nati\-e habitat, it does not attempt to bite, and soon becomes 

 reconciled to cajrtivity. The peculiar nature of its diet, however, militates against its being 

 easily transported over-sea from the Antipodes. 



