32 The Vertebrata of 'Tasmania. 



Phalan t gista fttliginosa. 

 45. Portion of left femur. 



These bones are no doubt of considerable age, but they cannot be 

 termed "fossil" and if the examination of these caves is con- 

 tinued, remains of animals in a fossil state may yet be found. 



Similar caves in New South "Wales have yielded numerous fossil 

 and other remains, some of which belong to animals now extinct, 

 others, as those of the Thylacine and Sarcophilus at present re- 

 stricted to Tasmania, and a few are referrable to still living species. 

 Remains of the Dingo, of rats and mice, and of birds and small 

 reptiles are also met with in the limestone caverns of this colony, 

 and fresh discoveries will no doubt be made whenever these 

 deposits (both here and in Tasmania) are thoroughly examined. 



Being in a position to give a correct account of nearly all the 

 vertebrata inhabiting Tasmania, I will now enumerate the animals 

 found there. 



"Without the "Whales common to our coast, the following species 

 were collected for the Trustees of the x^ustralian Museum by Mr. 

 G-eorge Masters. 



PLACENTALIA, 



Producing their young in a perfect state and having no pouch or 

 skin-fold for their protection : — 



1. Canis dingo The Dingo, (now extinct) . 



2. Arctocephalus lobatus The Cowled Seal. 



3. Stenorhynclnisleptonyx Sea Leopard. 



4. Vespertilio tasmaniensis Tasmanian Bat. 



5. Scotophilia microdon Small-toothed Bat. 



6. JYi/ctophilus unicolor Long-eared Bat. 



7. Si/dromys chrysogaster Grol den-bellied Beaver Bat. 



8. Mus tasmaniensis — (Kr.,) a new species of land-rat dis- 



covered by Mr. G-eorge Masters, on the banks of the 

 Ouse River. Except this rat, all the animals mentioned 

 are also found in Victoria and New South "Wales. 



IMPLACENTALIA. 



Producing their young in a very imperfect state and having a 

 pouch or skin-fold for their protection. 



Section I. — Jfarsupialia. 

 "Wombat Eamixy. 



JPhascolomys wombat The Tasmanian "Wombat. 



Kangaroo Family. 



Sal mat urns bennettii Bennett's Kangaroo. 



Salmaturus lillardieri Tasmanian "Wallaby. 



Macropus major Great or Common Kangaroo. 



