266 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
Carnivorous groups ! What is there of importance in 
the structure of the Wombat, the Phascolomys of 
M. Geoffroy, except this solitary character of the mar- 
supium, to separate it from the Rodent Order? And 
what other character can be found to justify even in 
appearance the union of any of the animals just named 
v^^ith the Kanguroos 1 It is obvious that a tribe formed 
of such discordant materials cannot be natural, and the 
animals of which it is composed imperatively require to 
be distributed in more strict conformity with the general 
laws of their organization. The anomalous character 
of many of them undoubtedly presents a formidable 
obstacle to their classification ; but we entertain a con- 
fident belief that a more intimate acquaintance with 
their structure than we yet possess • will, at no very 
distant period, lead to their complete and homogeneous 
amalgamation with the general mass, of which they 
form integral, although at present dislocated, parts. 
In such an arrangement the place of the Opossums, 
as we have before intimated, cannot be mistaken. 
Together with the Dasyuri, their representatives in 
New Holland, they would occupy a station interme- 
diate between the Insectivora and the Civets, with the 
latter of which they are no less closely connected in 
their habits than in their general form and in the cha- 
racter of their dentition. In this last particular, which 
must always be regarded as of the highest importance, 
the forms of the teeth are so modified in the Opossums 
as to effect a considerable diminution of the carnivorous 
character ; while the increase of their number, which 
surpasses that of any other quadruped, also contributes 
to the same end. They consist of ten incisors in the 
upper jaw and eight in the lower; of two canines both 
above and below ; and of seven cheek-teeth on each 
side of either j aw ; making in the whole, when the 
