152 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE SMALLER MARSUPIALS. 



Fig. 4. 



form, and they vary a little in size, but they are consistently smaller than the Tasmanian specimens, 

 from which they also differ in having less fawn in their colouration, and in having the under parts 

 liKin distinctly white. We think that a more detailed comparison of series of specimens from 

 both South-eastern Australia and Tasmania will prove the mainland form as distinct, as was con 

 sidered by Krefft 3 , who named it I), unicoldr. Pigmy Opossums are most defenceless little creatures, 

 since they are not active ; when handled, they seldom attempt to bite, and only make a slight hiss to 

 indicate their objection. In captivity they feed on fruit, nuts, and sugar, and in cold weather go into 

 complete hibernation. Male specimens now alive in TarongaPark have the fur soft and somewhat woolly ; 

 the upper parts are dull grey, with a slight fawn wash, and the .under parts are dull white, the division 

 of the two being indistinct. The form is stout, and the tail is thickened at the base. Another male 

 from the same locality has the fur short and fine, not woolly ; the upper parts are dark-brownish-grey, 

 and the under parts are white, with the division between them distinct ; the form is slender and light, 

 and the tail is not thickened. 



The following are rough measurements of eight living specimens : — 



Males. 



Head and body, 92 mm. ; tail, 93 mm. 



,, ,, ,, 90 mm. ; ,, 90 mm. 



,, ,, 85 mm. ; ,, 85 mm. 



74 m.m. ; ,, 84 mm. 



,, ,, ,, 70 mm. ; ,, 80 mm. 



Females. 



Head and body, 88 mm. ; tail, 90 mm. 



85 mm. ; ,, 90 mm. 



,, ,, 80 mm. ; ,, So mm. 



3. Krefft, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1863, p. 49. 



