HYPSIPRYMNUS GILBERTI, Gould. 
Gilbert’s Rat-Kang’aroo. 
Hypsiprymnus Gilberti, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., part ix. p. 14. — Ib. Mon. of Macropodidso, pi. . Gray, 
List, of Mamm. in Coll. Brit. Mus., p. 94. 
micropus, Waterh. in Jard. Nat. Lib., Marsupialia, p. 180. 
{Potorous} Gilbertii, Waterh. Nat. Hist, of Mamm., vol. i. p. 229. 
Ngil-gyte, Aborigines of King George’s Sound. 
In its outward appearance this little animal closely resembles the Hypsiprymnus murinus, but on a comparison 
of the skulls of the two species a marked difference is observable, that of tbe present having the nasal bone 
more produced or swollen out at the sides ; the tarsi and tail also are shorter, and the general colour is of 
a deeper hue in Gilbert’s than in the Hyp. murinus. These Hypsiprymni are evidently analogues of each 
other, the former being found only on tbe western coast, while the other is confined to the eastern portions 
of Australia. 
The animal here represented was procured at King George’s Sound, where it is called Ngil-gyte by tbe 
Aborigines. In dedicating it to the late Mr. Gilbert, wbo proceeded with me to Australia to assist in the 
objects of my expedition, I embraced with pleasure tbe opportunity afforded me of expressing my sense of 
tbe great zeal and assiduity he displayed in the objects of bis mission ; and as science is indebted to him 
for the knowledge of this and several other interesting discoveries, I trust that, however objectionable it 
may be to name species after individuals, in this instance it will not be deemed inappropriate. 
The above remarks were published in the first Part of my “ Monograph of the Macropodidse or Family of 
Kangaroos,” soon after which Mr. Gilbert made a second journey to tbe interior of Western Australia, and 
while there, transmitted to me the following additional information respecting this species .* — 
“ This little animal may be said to be tbe constant companion of Halmaturus brachyurus, as they are always 
found together amidst tbe dense thickets and rank vegetation bordering swamps and running streams. The 
natives capture it by breaking dowai a long, narrow passage in tbe thicket, in which a number of them 
remain stationed, while others, particularly old men and women, walk through the thicket, and by beating 
the bushes and making a yelling noise, drive tbe affrighted animals before them into the cleared space, 
where they are immediately speared by those on tbe watch : in this way a tribe of natives will often kill 
an immense number of both species in a few hours. I have not heard of the Hypsiprymnus Gilberti being 
found in any other part of the colony than King George’s Sound.” 
General colour of all the upper surface mingled grey, brown and black, produced by the base of the hairs 
being grey, the middle portion brown and black ; centre and lower part of the back washed with reddish 
brown ; a blackish line commences at the nose and blends into the general colour on tbe forehead ; all the 
under surface greyish white ; hands greyish brown ; feet blackish brown ; tail black, very thinly clothed 
with short hairs. 
The figures are of the natural size. 
