PHASCOLOMYS LATIFRONS, Owen. 
Broad-fronted Wombat. 
Phascolomys latifrons, Owen in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part xiii. p. 82.— Waterh. Nat. Hist, of Mamm., vol. i. p. 252. 
When I attempted to write the history of the Phascolomys Wombat in the preceding page of this work, no 
authenticated specimen from the continent of Australia existed in our museums, and I then stated that the 
question of there being more than one species of this form must remain in doubt for the present, this 
remark having special reference to the species characterized from a skull by Professor Owen, under the 
name of latifrons ; but during the present year, the skin of a large Wombat from the southern parts of the 
continent of Australia has arrived in this country, unfortunately “ sans teeth, sans skull, sans everything” 
that could have settled the question as to there being one or two species ; if, however, we may judge from 
the skin, much difference exists between the island and continental animals. In size, this skin, which is 
now in the British Museum, far exceeds all others I have seen ; in colour too it is equally distinct ; for while 
most of the specimens from Tasmania are either black, brown, or greyish brown, that from Victoria is of a 
light sandy buff or isabelline colour. I cannot then do otherwise than give a figure of this skin, which I 
presume to he an example of Professor Owen’s Phascolomys latifrons. Surely some of the collectors in 
South Australia or Victoria will forward specimens to Europe, and not leave zoologists still in doubt 
respecting the existence or non-existence of a second species. 
“ Of the Broad-fronted Wombat,” says Mr. Waterhouse, “ all that is known is a skull sent from South 
Australia to Professor Owen. This skull presents so many marked differences when compared with that of 
the Phase. Wombat , that no doubt can be entertained of the existence of two distinct species of Wombats. 
I have sought in vain, however, amongst the specimens of Wombats contained in our museums, for an 
animal which might be identified with Professor Owen’s new species. In none have I found the incisor 
teeth presenting the broadest surface in front, a peculiarity in which the P. latifrons differs from P. W ombat, 
where the broadest part of the incisor is at the side. The new species differs moreover in having the 
upper incisors distinctly broader than the lower, whilst in the Common Wombat the upper and lower 
incisors are very nearly equal in width, when viewed in front. The following points of distinction presented 
by the skull of P. latifrons, when compared with that of P. Wombat, are for the most part pointed out in 
some notes from the pen of Professor Owen, who has kindly placed them at my disposal : — 
“ ‘ The skull of Phase, latifrons is rather smaller and broader in proportion to its length; the upper incisors 
have a semi-oval, transverse section ; the convex enamelled surface directed more forward, and longitu- 
dinally substriated. The lower incisors narrower, trihedral, with the enamelled outer surface flat. The 
first lower molar tooth relatively larger, the last relatively smaller. The lower jaw is shorter, more suddenly 
curved behind, and has the symphysis deeper ; the intermaxillary part of the skull is higher in proportion 
to the Avidth, and less convex externally ; the palate is less contracted between the foremost molars, and the 
palatine portion of the intermaxillaries is wider and very concave. The nasal bones are broader, forming 
the whole upper surface of the anterior third of the skull. The interorbital part of the cranium is much 
broader, and presents a well-marked supraorbital ridge and postorbital processes, both of which are almost 
obsolete in Phase. Wombat. The temporal fossae are not bounded, as in the last-mentioned animal, by two 
nearly parallel ridges, but are continued by a convex tract to the upper surface of the cranium ; and the 
supratympanic depression is much larger.’ ” 
This, like most other Australian quadrupeds, forms an article of food, its flesh being brought to market 
for the supply at least of the Celestial part of the mixed population of that country, as will be seen by the 
following extract from the “ Ovens and Murray Advertiser” : 
“A Novelty. We happened a few days ago to walk through one of the Chinese camps, and were attracted 
by a crowd of mixed people standing outside the shop of a Celestial butcher who lives in Joss-house-street, 
main encampment. Taking a place among the assemblage, we beheld, tethered to the door-frame, a full- 
grown Wombat, which was ever and anon turned and hauled about by some one of the bystanders. One 
Chinaman, more curious than the rest of his fellows, put the animal through its facings ; and after 
spending some time in stroking down its back, examining its hair and pinching its sides, he lifted the 
round plump body of the WAmbat on its fore legs, and viewed it all ovei. The act was leceived by his 
countrymen as a capital joke, setting them all laughing, accompanied by a sing-song sonorous yabber that 
Ave did not understand. When it had subsided, we moved out of the heterogeneous group, and observed 
on an adjoining table pieces of strange-looking meat. We made inquiry, and learned that the flesh was 
pieces of Wombat offered for sale by the Chinese victualler.” 
The accompanying Plates represent the head of the natural size, and the entire animal much reduced. 
