1 
MARSUPIATA. 103 
The Yapach (Did. palmata, Geof. ; Lutra memina, Bodcl, fig. 42) frequents the rivers of Guiana. 
All the other Marsupials inhabit eastern 
countries, and especially New Holland ; a 
land of which the mammiferous population 
seems even to consist principally of ani- 
mals of this group. 
[The three next genera, and probably 
the fourth, possess no coecum.] 
The Thylacines {Thylacinus, Tern.) — 
Are the largest of this first division : they 
are distinguished from the Opossums by 
the hind-feet having no thumb, by a hairy 
and not prehensile tail, and two incisors 
less to each jaw ; their molars are of the 
same number. They have accordingly 
forty-six teeth ; hut the external edge of 
Fig:. 42.— The Yapach. three large ones is projecting and 
trenchant, almost like the carnivorous tooth of a Dog : their ears are hairy, and of middle size. 
But one [living] species is known,- a native of Van Diemen’s Land.— Size that of a [small] Wolf, but lower on the 
legs ; of a greyish colour, barred with black across the crupper (Did. cynocepMla, Harris). It is very carnivorous, 
and pursues all small quadrupeds. [This animal does not fish, as has been stated ; nor is its tail compressed : it 
is principally nocturnal, and is called Tiger and Hyana in its native island.] A. fossil species of Thylacine has 
been found in the gypsum quarries of Paris. 
The Phascogales {Phascogale, Tern.) — 
Have the same number of teeth as the Thylacines ; but their middle incisors are longer than the 
others, and their back molars more sharply tuherculated, in which respect they rather approximate the 
Opossums. They are also allied to them by their small size ; the tail, however, is not prehensile : 
their posterior thumbs, though very short, are still distinctly apparent. 
[Four species are now known, varying from the size of a Rat to that of a Mouse : they inhabit New Holland and 
Van Diemen’s Land, where they live on trees, and pursue insects.] 
The Dasyures (Dasgurus, Geof.) — 
Have two incisors and four grinders in each jaw less than the Opossums, so that they have only forty- 
two teeth ; and their tail, everywhere covered with long hairs, is not prehensile. The hinder thumb 
is reduced to a mere tubercle, or even quite disappears, [as in the Thylacine]. They inhabit New 
Holland, and subsist on insects and dead carcases ; they even penetrate into houses, where their 
voracity is very inconvenient. Their mouth is not so wide*, and the muzzle [much] less pointed, than 
in the Opossums ; their ears also are shorter, and hairy. They do not ascend trees. 
The Ursine Dasyure (Did. ursina, Harris). — Long coarse black hairs, with some white markings ; the tail 
half as long as the body, almost naked underneath. Inhabits the north of Van Diemen’s Land, and is 
nearly the size of a Badger. [This species, which is of common occurrence, is designated in Van Diemen’s Land 
the Devil; it is nocturnal, and very destructive to Sheep, of a fierce disposition, bites severely, and is a match for 
an ordinary Dog: in common with the rest of its tribe, including the Thylacyar, it often sits on its haunches, and 
cleans its head with its fore-paws.] 
The long-tailed Dasyure (Das. macrourus, Geof.)— Size of a Cat, with the tail as long as the body ; fur brown, 
spotted with white both on the body and tail. The tubercle of the thumb is still well marked in this species, but 
in the following it can no more be seen. 
Mange’s Dasyure (Das. Maugii, Geof.)— Rather smaller than the preceding, of an olive colour, spotted with 
white both on the body and tail : and lastly. Did. viverrina, Shaw ; which is black, spotted with white, and no spots 
on the tail ; a third less than the first. [These are still the only ascertained species, though it is probable that others 
remain confounded. The last is termed Wild Cat in Van Diemen’s Land, and is very destructive to poultry, of 
which it only sucks the blood. These animals apply the entire sole of the hind-foot to the ground when standing. 
The Myrmecobe {Myrmecobius, Waterh.) — 
Has the greatest number of teeth of any known marsupial, fifty-two in all ; namely, eight upper and 
* I have been much astonished on witnessing tlie amazingly wide gape of the Ursine Dasyure. — Ed. 
