ZOOLOGY. 



the sole of the paw is five inches and a half; the hind legs 

 are less strong and muscular than these, and their length is 

 also five and a half inches. In size the sexes are nearly the 

 same, but perhaps the female is to be considered as being 

 rather the heaviest. 



The Wombach seems to live generally in a loose sandy 

 soil, burrowing in the ground and concealed under the 

 bushes, near the foot of the hills at Port Jackson. It feeds 

 upon grass and roots, which it scrapes up with its claws, 

 and is of a perfectly harmless and inoffensive disposition ; 

 if, however, violently offended, or teazed, it will snap at the 

 person who provokes it. It has shewn frequently symptoms 

 of docility and affection to its keeper, and will beg for food 

 sometimes, by placing one its fore feet against the knee in 

 the manner of a lapdog. This circumstance seemed to in- 

 dicate, that with kind treatment, the Wombach might soon 

 be rendered extremely tame and friendly, and probably af- 

 fectionate ; but let his tutor beware of giving him provoca- 

 tion, at least if he should be full grown. The Wombach 

 has also been found in Furneaux's Islands, in the South 

 Seas, also at Van Diemen's Land ; and according to the ac- 

 cording to the account given by the natives, the Wombach 

 of the mountains is never seen during the day, but lives re- 

 tired in his hole, feeding only in the night ; but that of the 

 islands is seen to feed in all parts of the day. The country 

 which these animals inhabit, is in general very destitute of 

 vegetation ; it is therefore probable that the grass or leaves 

 which they eat, may by no means constitute the whole of 

 their food ; but that they may also devour some of the 

 smaller reptiles, which would serve to strengthen the sup- 

 posed analogy they have to the hog species, which are well 

 known to be graminivorous, as well as carnivorous, having 

 their stomachs appropriated for that sort of nourishment. 



